BVB and Bayer in the Champions League: Twice frustration for the Bundesliga

Defeat instead of an anniversary victory, a detour instead of a shortcut to the round of 16: After a very weak performance and being outnumbered for more than an hour, Borussia Dortmund suffered a bitter defeat at Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League – and thus all but lost their chance of a direct entry into the round of 16. Coach Niko Kovac’s team lost 0-2 (0-2) on Tuesday evening, captain Christian Romero (14th) and Dominic Solanke with a billiard goal (37th) were successful for Tottenham. Dortmund’s Daniel Svensson saw the red card early (24th) according to video evidence.

With the 100th success in the premier class and its predecessor competition, the national championship cup, BVB would have climbed into the top eight in the table – but due to bankruptcy, the Bundesliga club lost sight of direct progression. But Kovac and Co. still have reaching the playoffs in their own hands; at the end of the league phase, BVB will face Inter Milan at home on January 28th.

“It’s an important game,” Kovac said before the game: “We want to win, and to do that we have to put in a top performance.” And the coach ordered top striker Serhou Guirassy back into the starting line-up against the Europa League winners – but the Tottenham offensive around former Bundesliga star Xavi Simons caused a stir. Romero, the Argentine world champion, rewarded his team for a strong opening phase from close range.

Dortmund had put themselves under pressure in the Champions League for the final stretch of the league phase shortly before Christmas with a 2-2 loss at home against Norwegian outsiders FK Bodö/Glimt, and BVB was also slow to get into the game at Tottenham. The task didn’t get any easier after Svensson was sent off – referee Glenn Nyberg initially showed him a yellow card, but then revised his opinion after seeing the video images of the foul.

The first half was extremely unfortunate for Dortmund: Solanke strangely increased the lead to 2-0 for Tottenham before the break. The Englishman shot himself when he scored, but somehow poked the ball towards the goal, and the inside post also helped. Afterwards, Kovac did everything he could not to concede another goal – Emre Can and Julian Ryerson replaced Guirassy and Julian Brandt in the second half.

And so BVB subsequently tried to be as secure as possible defensively. The defense around Nico Schlotterbeck managed to do this at times, but Tottenham seemed to have slowed down on the other side. Schlotterbeck still had a good chance to head the ball (90+1), but despite all their efforts, Dortmund in London couldn’t make it really exciting.

Leverkusen even has to worry about the knockout phase in the Champions League

Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen failed the test in the loud stadium in Piraeus and has to worry about the knockout phase. The Rhinelanders lost 2-0 (0-2) to the Greek champions Olympiakos after an early frustration and catastrophic use of opportunities and suffered their third painful defeat in the third game of the new year.

With nine points, the Werkself still have qualification for the playoffs in their own hands, but will most likely have to win in a “final” against FC Villarreal next week (January 28th). Costinha (2nd) shocked Bayer early, Mehdi Taremi (45th + 1) shortly before the break. The runner-up, who missed numerous good opportunities, was unable to reward himself for a courageous performance. The search for the urgently needed turnaround in the new year continues.

“Our goal is to get to the next round. We have the opportunity to do that with a win,” said coach Kasper Hjulmand before the game, saying his team was “very ready for this game” despite the tough defeats against VfB Stuttgart (1:4) and at TSG Hoffenheim (0:1) at the start of the year.

But Hjulmand had to watch as his team fell behind early on: Costinha, who was criminally released, headed in after a corner to give the hosts the lead. Janis Blaswich, who was in goal in place of the “long-term” injured goalkeeper Mark Flekken (ligament injury in his right knee) and made his starting debut for the Werkself, was unable to prevent the impact. Leverkusen then tried to control the game, Loïc Badé (10th) missed the chance to equalize after a corner.

Bayer now took command and repeatedly played dangerously in front of the goal: Lucas Vazquez (16′) was denied by Piraeus keeper Konstantinos Tzolakis from a tight angle, Christian Kofane (25′) was unable to capitalize on a sharp cross from Badé. Bayer was now exploiting opportunities: Tzolakis made a strong save from a long-range shot from Alejandro Grimaldo (37′), shortly before the break Vazquez let go (44.) and Kofane (45.) the 1:1 from a very short distance were partly pitiful. On the other side, Taremi finished off a counterattack ice cold.

After the break, the Bundesliga club immediately pushed for a goal, Ibrahim Maza missed from a tight angle (47′). As a result, the Werkself rarely got into the dangerous zone and the game became a little flat. Piraeus defended its lead passionately, egged on by the euphoric home fans. Substitute Patrik Schick (80th) failed due to the outstanding Tzolakis.