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Robert Andrich (left) celebrates after scoring 3:1
Photo: Ulrich Hufnagel / imago images/Ulrich Hufnagel
Borussia Dortmund lost their Bundesliga home game against Bayer Leverkusen 2: 5 (1: 3).
The goals for the guests were scored by Manuel Akanji (11th minute, own goal), Florian Wirtz (20th), Robert Andrich (28th), Jonathan Tah (53rd) and Moussa Diaby (87th).
Dortmund's interim equalizer also came from an own goal by Jeremie Frimpong (16'), Steffen Tigges (89') scored the last goal of the afternoon.
As in previous duels, both teams offered a spectacle from the start with four goals in the first 28 minutes.
Although BVB coach Marco Rose had worked intensively with his team to improve the recently weak defense during the two-week break, Borussia's defense was shockingly unstable.
The first goal against was like a slapstick insert.
Dan-Axel Zagadou, who came on for defense chief Mats Hummels, made a major mistake and played to Bayer striker Patrik Schick in his own penalty area.
BVB keeper Gregor Kobel was able to parry his shot from close range, but deflected the ball into the legs of Manuel Akanji, who put the ball into his own net (11').
Borussia's reaction was not long in coming.
After Julian Brandt's free-kick, Bayer defender Frimpong headed in the second own goal within six minutes (16').
However, this equalizer did not give BVB any new security.
Instead, the Leverkusen played their counterattack strength.
Wirtz completed a great attack from close range to put the guests back in the lead (20').
When Andrich shot a free kick from 18 meters into the goal corner a little later, Borussia's false start was perfect (28').
Visibly dismayed, Dortmund tried to minimize the damage, but had little effect.
Without top scorer Erling Haaland, the offensive game lacked penetrating power.
So the guests were closer to the fourth goal before the break than Borussia was to the goal.
But the many counterattacks were not consistently played to the end.
Shortly after the restart, however, Leverkusen rewarded themselves for their splendid performance and ensured the early preliminary decision.
Tah's brilliant volley after a corner by Kerem Demirbay under the crossbar of the opposing goal robbed Borussia of any hope of a turnaround (53').
Two more goals were scored shortly before the end: First Diaby increased it to 5:1 (87th), then substitute Tigges scored the final point (89th).
The only positive aspect for Dortmund was the comeback of Giovanni Reyna, who came on as a substitute in the 61st minute, after a five-month injury break.
mfu