Bayer Leverkusen’s closing residence sport beneath Xabi Alonso’s reign resulted in disappointment as Borussia Dortmund claimed a 4-2 victory, placing a dent within the hosts’ hopes whereas boosting Dortmund’s Champions League ambitions.
Alonso, who led Leverkusen to their historic Bundesliga title and German Cup final season, introduced his departure from the membership on Friday, with Real Madrid tipped as his doubtless vacation spot.
His farewell was met with heartfelt tributes from the followers, who held up banners and chanted “Danke Xabi” earlier than the match. However, Dortmund, regardless of being pinned again for a lot of the primary half, got here to life after falling behind.
Leverkusen dominated the opening interval, with Dortmund’s goalkeeper Gregor Kobel making seven essential saves to maintain his facet within the sport. Leverkusen’s stress paid off within the thirty first minute when Florian Wirtz danced via the penalty space and laid it off for Jeremie Frimpong to curve a surprising strike into the highest nook.
But Dortmund responded nearly instantly. Two minutes later, Karim Adeyemi arrange Julian Brandt, who fired residence the equalizer. Brandt then turned supplier simply earlier than halftime, profitable the ball on the sideline and crossing for Julian Ryerson, who drove in a low shot to place Dortmund forward.
The second half noticed a flurry of targets. Adeyemi and Serhou Guirassy, who had each netted braces within the earlier week’s 4-0 win over Wolfsburg, added to their tallies. Guirassy’s objective marked his thirty third of the season from 44 video games in all competitions, solidifying his impression at Dortmund.
Leverkusen, regardless of Alonso’s emotional farewell and powerful early efficiency, couldn’t mount a comeback. Wirtz, who has been linked with a summer time transfer, assisted Jonas Hofmann’s late objective in stoppage time for a short comfort.
Alonso will take cost of Leverkusen one closing time in subsequent week’s match at Mainz, however with Leverkusen already assured of a second-place end, their season is successfully over. Meanwhile, Dortmund, who have been as soon as languishing in twelfth place, have now surged to inside some extent of fourth-place Freiburg, maintaining their Champions League hopes alive.
Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac stays optimistic, stating, “It’s not in our hands, but we’re a bit closer, and we’ve got one more final next week at home.”
The sport additionally marked an emotional farewell for Alonso, who was introduced with a avenue signal, dinner jacket, and framed picture as tokens of gratitude for his profitable tenure at Leverkusen. The Spanish supervisor, who joined the membership in October 2022, introduced them their first-ever Bundesliga title, ending unbeaten within the league and securing the German Cup. However, a treble was narrowly missed after they have been defeated by Atalanta within the Europa League closing.
Alonso’s contract runs till 2026, however with Real Madrid a probable vacation spot, the 41-year-old will go away behind a legacy as one in every of Leverkusen’s most profitable managers. Alongside him, defender Jonathan Tah will even depart, whereas key mortgage gamers, together with Nordi Mukiele, Mario Hermoso, and Emiliano Buendia, will return to their guardian golf equipment. The way forward for playmaker Florian Wirtz stays unsure, with prime European golf equipment reportedly involved in his companies.
Source: www.dailysabah.com