The German Bundesliga duel with Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday (5:30 p.m.) will be a key game for Borussia Dortmund. BVB, which recently celebrated in the Champions League, probably needs a complete success in order not to completely lose touch with the top places.
02.12.2023 10.04
Online since today, 10:04 a.m
In the event of a defeat, the gap between the fourth place and the previously unbeaten leader would grow to an unassailable 13 points. If Dortmund and a strong Marcel Sabitzer made it into the round of 16 of the premier class after the 3-1 win in Milan, Leverkusen would already be in the round of the best 16 teams in the Europa League.
Things have worked quite well against Leverkusen in the recent past: Dortmund have had four wins against the Werkself in the last five games. But the respect for the opponent is great. “Leverkusen is a team that currently has to be settled above Milan. They play fantastic football. In Germany this is currently the most difficult task,” said Dortmund defense chief Mats Hummels.
IMAGO/justpictures.ch/Jari Pestelacci ÖFB legionnaire Marcel Sabitzer has been in good form recently
Alonso reserved
Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso was rather buttoned up when asked questions about the German title race. The goal is always to get the three points. “We don’t look at individual teams like Dortmund, Leipzig or Bayern, but only at the next game. We’re not thinking about the distance either, it’s still a long time until May,” emphasized the Spaniard, who can again rely on national player Florian Wirtz, who was spared in the European Cup.
Bayern game canceled, Stuttgart hosts Bremen
FC Bayern Munich’s home game against 1. FC Union Berlin on Saturday has been canceled due to heavy snowfall and the associated safety risks. This was announced by the Bundesliga club from Berlin and the Munich transport company. Due to safety risks for everyone involved, it was decided not to whistle the game, it was said.
Because of the turf heating in the Allianz Arena, the main concern was not the usability of the pitch, but rather the safety and, above all, the travel of the spectators, some of whom come to Munich from further away.
Third-placed VfB Stuttgart will play Werder Bremen in the home game on Saturday. Fifth-placed Leipzig host newly promoted Heidenheim. After his hat trick in the Europa League against Olympiakos Piraeus, Michael Gregoritsch will play with SC Freiburg in Mainz on Sunday. SC coach Christian Streich said at the end of his striker’s goal ban: “We know what ‘Gregerl’ can do. Today he scored the goals, that’s just how it is as a striker. You always have to believe in yourself and not doubt or talk too much when things aren’t going your way. This is important.”
German Bundesliga, 13th round
Friday, December 1st: Darmstadt Cologne * 0-1 Saturday, December 2nd: Bayern Munich Union Berlin canceled Leipzig Heidenheim 3:30 p.m. Mönchengladbach Hoffenheim 3:30 p.m. Bochum Wolfsburg 3:30 p.m. Stuttgart Bremen 6:30 p.m. Sunday, December 3rd: Mainz Freiburg 3:30 p.m. Leverkusen Dortmund 5.30 p.m. Augsburg Frankfurt 7.30 p.m
* Kainz until the 46th minute, Ljubicic until the 93rd minute
Tabel:
2023-12-02 09:04:09
#Football #Key #game #Dortmund #Leverkusen
