Busying Up the Courageous Underdogs: Dortmund's Respect for Leverkusen
Borussia Dortmund (BVB) paid Leverkusen the ultimate compliment before the Bundesliga showdown: acknowledging their bravery. Prior to taking charge of the league, the courageous Leverkusen had consistently outperformed BVB on their home turf, Lyon Arena, setting the stage high for the trumpeted second-placed team.
Granit Xhaka, Leverkusen's standout leader, summed up this period with a wickedly humorous spin. In response to accusations of errant ball handling after the transition period, Xhaka quipped: "We only gave our challengers a brief flicker of hope, just so they'd think they could make more of an impact. But then, nothing further materialized."
Despite being the second team to claim points against Leverkusen since FC Bayern, Borussia Dortmund couldn't quite seal the deal in their 1-1 (1-0) stalemate, a game that saw them lead for almost 70 minutes and, according to coach Edin Terzic, "had come unbelievably close" to converting the advantage into a win against Leverkusen.
Traversing Uncharted Territories
Inypatently, the defensive tactics adopted by BVB were an unusual sight for the Leverkusen squad. Bayer goalscorer Patrik Schick was taken aback, remarking: "I've never seen Dortmund play like this—everyone settling deep behind the ball." Sporting director Simon Rolfes chimed in, explaining: "Traditionally, there have been more open and attacking matches against Dortmund than we witnessed today. But this time, everyone opted for their own tactics."
Interestingly, Rolfes suggested that the resolute defense, akin to the triumphant display against AC Milan five days prior, may not have been entirely voluntary. "We anticipated a more defensive approach from Dortmund," Rolfes revealed: "Their greater focus on defense could certainly be attributed to our overpowering dominance on the pitch."
Coach Terzic acknowledged the limited impact of the initial pressure and the early 0-1 goal from Julian Ryerson, conceded five minutes in. "Our strategy, which diverged from the usual Dortmund playstyle, was not significantly influenced by the mounting pressure and the early goal," Terzic explained. "As a matter of fact, we purposefully selected this approach within the last few weeks."
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- Despite being up against the formidable Leverkusen, Dortmund displayed a level of respect that interpreted as admiration towards their Bundesliga rivals.
- Mats Hummels, a prominent figure in Leverkusen, offered an amused take on Dortmund's strategic shift.
- Even though Dortmund had emerged victorious against Leverkusen only twice after FC Bayern, their last-ditch attempt to salvage the game against the latter came dangerously close, according to coach Edin Terzic.
- The unconventional defense demonstrated by Dortmund left Leverkusen players utterly surprised, and Gael Kakuta remarked: "I've never seen Dortmund play like this before."
- The tense Bundesliga encounter highlighted the substantial ten-point gap between both teams, underscoring the distinction in their performance levels.
- Simon Rolfes, the sporting director of Leverkusen, attributed Dortmund's resolute defense to a collective tactical decision, as well as the team's acclaimed strength on the pitch.
- During the post-match analysis, Terzic acknowledged that the early goal and mounting pressure from Leverkusen scarcely influenced Dortmund's strategic shift, which was meticulously planned in the weeks leading up to the clash.
- Consistently, Leverkusen and Dortmund have been defining forces in the competitive Bundesliga landscape, developing diverse strategies that underscore the intensity of the German football scene.
Additional Context
- Bayern Munich's dominance and Dortmund's desire to prevent Leverkusen from closing the gap may have contributed to the atypical defensive strategy adopted by Dortmund.
- Leverkusen's possession and dominance on the pitch might have influenced Dortmund to maintain a cautious approach to prevent the hosts from capitalizing on their chances.
- Uncharacteristic of Dortmund, coach Niko Kovač emphasized the importance of securing a positive result in the match, inspiring the team to prioritize defensive solidity over attacking flair.
The match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen underscored the close-knit rivalry that defines the Bundesliga, with both teams fielding unique strategies that highlighted their depth and competitiveness in the German soccer scene.
