Sebastién Haller is in Dortmund's starting eleven for the first time since his return - and is involved in all of Borussia's goals. Bayer Leverkusen, on the other hand, cannot find a way to overcome the BVB defense. An own goal makes the decision.
Borussia Dortmund took advantage of Bayern Munich's slip again in Sebastien Haller's starting XI debut and stalked further in the title fight. Coach Edin Terzić's team won 2-0 (1-0) against Bayer Leverkusen, who have won five times in the past. As a result, BVB reduced the gap to leaders Bayern in fourth to three points.
Karim Adeyemi (33rd) scored Dortmund 1-0 thanks to Haller's fine cooperation. BVB extended their lead with an own goal from Edmond Tapsoba (53rd). For Leverkusen it was the first home defeat in the sixth game at the BayArena under coach Xabi Alonso.
Haller had previously been substituted on in the 62nd minute of the first two Bundesliga games against FC Augsburg (4:3) and FSV Mainz 05 (2:1) after recovering from testicular cancer. Jude Bellingham returned to the starting XI after serving a yellow card suspension. In addition, Marco Reus, who was recently ill, was back in the squad, but, as expected, initially took a seat on the bench and was substituted on in the 85th minute.
It took just under 100 seconds for Exequiel Palacios to fire the first shot into the arms of BVB keeper Gregor Kobel. In general, Leverkusen belonged to the early stages: moments later, Nadiem Amiri hit the side netting from distance. At first, only Bayer created chances. Moussa Diaby was saved from a good position by Kobel, who responded brilliantly (16').
But Dortmund got stronger after initial difficulties, but initially without becoming dangerous. Then Amiri, who had been conspicuous until then, initiated the first BVB chance with a careless loss of ball in the build-up game, which led directly to the lead. Haller, who made his debut in the starting eleven, let a fine cross pass from Julian Brandt through with a lot of overview - Adeyemi pushed the ball past Bayer goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky.
Bayer came into play better after the break. Diaby was denied by Kobel, who was also there when Amine Adli had a follow-up shot (48'). However, BVB remained more efficient, with the kind help of Tapsoba, who after a sharp cross from Marius Wolf shoved the ball into his own goal with his shin - because Bellingham narrowly missed in front of him and Haller was ready to insert the ball behind him.
Leverkusen didn't give up, but Adli found his master again in the strong Kobel (57th). After Terzic had ended Haller's solid day's work in the 61st minute, Brandt tested Hradecky again at the beginning of the final phase. The very conspicuous Bellingham narrowly pulled away.
