Xabi Alonso's tactical gamble pays off in Leverkusen's win over Dortmund

Florian Wirtz, a surprising omission from the starting XI, began on the bench due to unforeseen circumstances in the build-up to the match.

Alonso revealed after the game that both Wirtz and Argentine midfielder Exequiel Palacios had missed the team's final preparations. "They were stuck in traffic on a bridge in Koln this morning and went straight to Dortmund, missing our training and meeting," Alonso told Kicker.

"It wasn't a disciplinary matter; I just needed clarity for my peace of mind."

Wirtz entered the fray in the 62nd minute, while Palacios made a late cameo, but the groundwork for Leverkusen's victory had already been laid.

The match, delayed by 15 minutes due to traffic issues affecting both teams, also saw Dortmund struggling with a wave of illness that disrupted their squad.

BVB fielded an inexperienced backline, including academy players Almugera Kabar and Yannik Luhrs, alongside makeshift centre-back Julian Ryerson. The disjointed defence struggled against Leverkusen's clinical attack.

Leverkusen struck first within 26 seconds, as Edmond Tapsoba's interception set up Nathan Tella for a thunderous opener.

Patrick Schick doubled the lead in the eighth minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse. Although Jamie Bynoe-Gittens pulled one back for Dortmund in the 12th minute, Schick restored the two-goal cushion seven minutes later with a well-worked finish.

Despite dominating possession with 82% in the first half, Dortmund's lack of defensive cohesion proved costly.

Serhou Guirassy converted a penalty in the 79th minute to spark late hope, but Leverkusen's resolute defending, led by Tapsoba, held firm.

Alonso's tactical gamble and Leverkusen's sharp finishing ensured all three points, maintaining their strong start to 2025 and reaffirming their status as Bundesliga title contenders.

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