Dortmund's Clinical Away Display Decides the Spitzenspiel

Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 61/100. This six-pointer between title contenders was decided by ruthless efficiency—Dortmund converted their chances with ice-water composure whilst Leverkusen's dominance in possession crumbled against a perfectly-executed counter-attacking game plan.

Leverkusen's Control, Dortmund's Precision

At BayArena, the intensity was relentless from the first whistle. Leverkusen controlled proceedings with 63 per cent possession, dictating tempo and territory—yet Dortmund waited with predatory patience. In the 41st minute, the visitors struck. A. Anselmino finished with clinical precision after a pinpoint pass from D. Svensson, exposing Leverkusen's fatal flaw: dominance without teeth. Despite 14 shots to Dortmund's 7, Leverkusen's Expected Goals (0.82) lagged behind their visitors' 0.99. Possession meant nothing.

Adeyemi Seals It: The Counter-Attack Masterclass

After the interval, the balance shifted decisively. K. Adeyemi, set up by substitute F. Silva (introduced in minute 61), doubled Dortmund's advantage in the 65th minute. With just 37 per cent possession, the Black and Yellows orchestrated a textbook away performance. Gregor Kobel's three crucial saves in goal kept Leverkusen at bay, turning the BayArena into a fortress for the visitors. The stakes were enormous—a six-pointer separating third-placed Dortmund (25 points) from fourth-placed Leverkusen (23 points)—and Dortmund delivered.

Kofane's Late Rally: Too Little, Too Late

Christian Kofane's introduction in minute 63 injected hope. The super-sub struck in the 83rd minute to make it 2-1, sparking upset potential. Yet despite 13 corners to Dortmund's 3, Leverkusen couldn't engineer an equaliser. The lead changed hands once—in Dortmund's favour—and stayed there. This wasn't an upset; it was a masterclass in efficiency overcoming dominance, a verdict on which team wanted it more when it mattered.