Borussia Dortmund Triumphs Over Bayer Leverkusen in Xabi Alonso’s Farewell Match

In an emotionally charged farewell, Xabi Alonso could not secure a victory for Bayer Leverkusen in his last home game, as Borussia Dortmund won 4:2 (2:1). This result keeps Dortmund’s hopes alive for a Champions League spot, as they remain just one point behind SC Freiburg and the fourth place.

Dortmund has the chance to leapfrog Freiburg with a win against Holstein Kiel in their final home game, provided Freiburg does not win their match against Eintracht Frankfurt. A draw against Kiel would, however, guarantee Dortmund a secure position in the Europa League.

Dortmund’s Late Surge

In front of 30,000 fans at the sold-out BayArena, Jeremie Frimpong (31st minute) and Jonas Hofmann (90+2) scored for Leverkusen, who will finish the season in second place. For Dortmund, Julian Brandt (33rd), Julian Ryerson (43rd), Karim Adeyemi (73rd), and Serhou Guirassy (77th) found the net. The final score was perhaps a goal or two higher than the match warranted.

Alonso, who announced his early departure from Bayer on Friday, anticipated an emotional atmosphere at the BayArena. He expressed mixed feelings ahead of the match. Amid a backdrop of heartfelt cheers and perfect weather, fans expressed their gratitude and respect for their beloved coach, chanting his name and displaying banners in his honor. Alonso was visibly moved during the official farewell ceremony before the game.

Emotions Surrounding Alonso

For both teams, the match was significant, especially for the previously unbeaten Dortmund side in their last seven league games, as they aimed to continue their successful pursuit of an international spot. Coach Niko Kovac made just one change to his team following a 4:0 victory against Wolfsburg, bringing Karim Adeyemi into the starting lineup.

Initially, the home team set the pace with significant pressure, determined to provide their coach with a fitting victory. With a Champions League ticket already secured, Alonso made several adjustments, including reinstating goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky and Robert Andrich. The latter had a significant opportunity but was denied by Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel.

Dortmund Keeper’s Heroics

Leverkusen’s attacking efforts were rewarded after half an hour when Frimpong scored the opening goal from a pass by Florian Wirtz, immediately sprinting to the bench to embrace Alonso. Dortmund responded quickly; Brandt equalized just two minutes later with an assist from Adeyemi, and Ryerson put the guests ahead 2:1 just before halftime.

At this point, Dortmund owed much of their success to keeper Kobel, who thwarted attempts from Nathan Tella (27th/40th), Wirtz (41st), and Amine Adli (45+5), and was fortunate to see Adli hit the post in first-half stoppage time.

Despite summer-like temperatures, the match showcased high-quality football from both sides, with multiple good chances. Ultimately, Dortmund proved to be more effective: Adeyemi scored on a counterattack to make it 3:1, and Guirassy netted his first goal in his 100th Bundesliga match to extend the lead to 4:1. Hofmann added a late goal for Leverkusen, reducing the deficit to 2:4.