Sunday’s Bundesliga clash between Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund has transformed overnight from a standard end-of-season fixture into one of the weekend’s most emotionally charged encounters in European football.
ALONSO’S SHOCK EXIT ADDS DRAMA TO CRUCIAL CLASH
Just 24 hours after Xabi Alonso dropped his bombshell announcement that he’s departing at season’s end, the legendary Spaniard faces a Dortmund side in ruthless form and desperate to gatecrash next season’s Champions League party.
While the BayArena faithful will be desperate to give their double-winning manager a fitting farewell, Dortmund’s red-hot attacking unit arrives with four straight victories and a frightening goalscoring record that threatens to turn celebration into commiseration.
TALE OF THE TAPE: MOTIVATION VS MOMENTUM
Leverkusen’s Recent Form:
- Unbeaten in five games (but only two wins)
- Secured second place with 12-point cushion
- Clean sheets in last two home matches
- Title reign officially ended last weekend
Dortmund’s Recent Form:
- Four consecutive victories in all competitions
- Unbeaten in five matches
- Scored 2+ goals in SIX straight games
- Netted 3+ goals in FIVE of those matches
- Just one point behind fourth-placed Freiburg
The contrasting trajectories couldn’t be clearer – Leverkusen’s campaign is effectively over, while Dortmund are playing with the intensity of a side with everything still to fight for under Niko Kovac.
TEAM NEWS: KEY ABSENTEES FOR BOTH SIDES
Alonso’s final home team sheet will be missing defenders Mario Hermoso and Jeanuel Belocian, while doubts remain over Nordi Mukiele (calf) and Alejo Sarco (thigh).
Dortmund travel without Nico Schlotterbeck’s defensive presence due to a muscle problem, though Marcel Sabitzer could make the bench as he battles back from knee issues.
HEAD-TO-HEAD: GOALS GUARANTEED
Recent history between these Bundesliga heavyweights promises entertainment. January’s reverse fixture delivered a five-goal thriller with Leverkusen edging a 3-2 victory, while both teams have found the net in their last three encounters.
VERDICT: EMOTION VS EXECUTION
While the emotional narrative favours Leverkusen giving their departing hero the perfect send-off, the cold hard stats tell a different story. Dortmund’s devastating attack has been bulldozing opponents for weeks, netting at an astonishing rate that even Leverkusen’s typically solid defence will struggle to contain.
With Champions League qualification on the line, Dortmund’s focus looks sharper than a Leverkusen side whose thoughts might already be drifting toward life after their iconic manager.
The Smart Money: Borussia Dortmund Draw No Bet
Expect Dortmund to silence the emotional BayArena crowd and take at least a point back to Westphalia, potentially ruining Alonso’s farewell party in the process.
