Borussia Dortmund will aim to start 2025 on a high note when they host in-form Bayer Leverkusen at Signal Iduna Park on Friday night in the Bundesliga. With the three-week winter break over, both sides will look to assert themselves in what promises to be an electrifying encounter. For Dortmund, the match is crucial to closing the gap to the top spots, while Leverkusen is focused on sustaining their title ambitions.
Dortmund’s Rollercoaster Campaign
Dortmund’s season so far has been a mix of highs and lows. Despite a rocky start, their first away win of the campaign—a 3-1 victory at VfL Wolfsburg in December—offered a glimmer of hope before the winter hiatus. Currently sitting sixth on the Bundesliga table with 25 points, Dortmund trail second-placed Leverkusen by seven points. A win on Friday would cut that gap to four and provide the momentum they desperately need.
Head coach Nuri Sahin emphasized the importance of the match in shaping Dortmund’s season.
“For the table, it would be extremely important [to win] because we would close the gap,” Sahin said. “We are playing at home and really want to win this game. It could be a good omen to get into a flow and pick up more points in the new year than we did in the first part of the season.”
Challenges for Dortmund
Dortmund face several challenges heading into the fixture. Pascal Gross is suspended, while long-term injury absentee Niklas Süle remains sidelined. Waldemar Anton is also a doubt, leaving Sahin with limited options in key positions. However, Dortmund’s record against top teams this season has been encouraging, and they remain unbeaten in their last five matches against Leverkusen, including their rivals’ unbeaten run to the Bundesliga title last year.
Dortmund will also have to balance their domestic ambitions with a challenging Champions League Round of 16 tie against Bologna later this month. Maintaining focus on both fronts will be a test of their squad depth and resilience.
Leverkusen’s Title Aspirations
Leverkusen, sitting in second place with 32 points, will aim to continue their strong run under head coach Xabi Alonso. The defending Bundesliga champions enjoyed a stellar 2024, winning the domestic double without losing a single game and reaching the Europa League final.
Leverkusen’s sports director Simon Rolfes underscored the team’s ambition to compete on all fronts.
“We want to win, also in Dortmund,” Rolfes stated. “We have the ambition and the will to win in Dortmund. Realistically, we have title chances in all competitions. To win titles, you have to be there. We have the energy and will to give it all.”
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We’re back under the Friday night lights! ✨
@BlackYellow
⏰ 8:30pm (CET)
️ Signal Iduna Park#BVBB04 pic.twitter.com/1TSC58BFRu— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) January 10, 2025
Leverkusen’s form heading into this clash is a testament to their consistency. However, Dortmund’s home advantage and history of resilience against top opposition mean Leverkusen will need to be at their best to secure three points.
Key Players to Watch
For Dortmund, all eyes will be on Marco Reus and Julian Brandt, who have been instrumental in creating scoring opportunities. Donyell Malen will lead the attack, looking to exploit gaps in Leverkusen’s defense. Meanwhile, defensive stability will rest on the shoulders of Mats Hummels and Gregor Kobel, who will need to neutralize Leverkusen’s potent forward line.
Leverkusen’s attacking prowess will be spearheaded by Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong. Both players have been in scintillating form and will be key to breaking down Dortmund’s defense. Additionally, captain Jonathan Tah will be crucial in organizing Leverkusen’s backline to withstand Dortmund’s counterattacks.
Bayern’s Injury Woes Add Intrigue to the Title Race
While Dortmund and Leverkusen prepare for their high-stakes encounter, Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich face challenges of their own. With 36 points at the top of the table, Bayern travel to Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday. However, their squad has been hit by a series of injuries.
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is racing to recover from a rib injury, while second-choice keeper Daniel Peretz is ruled out with a kidney issue. Star midfielder Jamal Musiala missed Monday’s 6-0 friendly win over RB Salzburg due to illness, and it remains uncertain whether he will start on Saturday.
Historically, Gladbach has been a tricky opponent for Bayern, winning five of their last nine home games against the Bavarians. A slip-up from Bayern could offer Leverkusen and Dortmund a chance to close the gap in the title race, adding extra significance to Friday’s match at Signal Iduna Park.
The Bigger Picture
This weekend’s Bundesliga fixtures mark the start of a critical phase in the season. For Dortmund, victory against Leverkusen could reignite their hopes of a top-four finish and bolster their confidence ahead of European commitments. For Leverkusen, maintaining their winning momentum is essential to keeping pace with Bayern in the title race.
Both teams have everything to play for, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter under the Friday night lights. Fans can expect high-intensity football as two of Germany’s most exciting sides clash in a game with far-reaching implications for the Bundesliga standings.
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