Bundesliga 2024-25: Borussia Dortmund out to cut gap to top spots against in-form Bayer Leverkusen
Bundesliga 2024-25: Borussia Dortmund out to cut gap to top spots against in-form Bayer Leverkusen
Borussia Dortmund is desperate for a winning start to the new year when it hosts champion Bayer Leverkusen on Friday in the Bundesliga 2024-25 restart following the three-week winter break.
Dortmund has had a rollercoaster first half to its campaign but earned its first away win in the Bundesliga this season – 3-1 at VfL Wolfsburg – in the last game before the break in December.
Victory over Leverkusen, in second place on 32 points, would see its gap cut to four points, with Dortmund currently in sixth on 25.
“For the table, it would be extremely important (to win the game) because we would close the gap. We have so far delivered against top teams. We are playing at home and really want to win this game,” said Dortmund coach Nuri Sahin.
“The year starts with this game and it could be a good omen to get into a flow and pick up more points in the new year than we did in the first part of the season,” he added.
Dortmund, who faces Bologna in the Champions League later in January, has not lost any of its last five matches against Leverkusen, including its rivals’ unbeaten run to the Bundesliga title last year.
Sahin could be without Waldemar Anton, while suspended Pascal Gross and long-time injured Niklas Suele are out.
Its opponent is equally eager to hit the ground running this year with Leverkusen sports director Simon Rolfes, saying it was fighting for trophies in all its competitions.
Leverkusen won the domestic double without defeat last season and also reached the Europa League final.
“We want to win, also in Dortmund,” said Rolfes, whose team is four points behind Bayern. “We have the ambition and the will to win in Dortmund. It is this will that drives us.”
“Realistically we have title chances in all competitions. To win titles you have to be there. We have the energy and will to give it all,” he added.
