Borussia Dortmund 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen: Josip Stanisic grabs 97th-minute equaliser as champions extend unbeaten run
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Updated 21/04/2024 at 19:34 GMT
Bayer Leverkusen have extended their unbeaten run in the 2023/24 season after a last gasp Josip Stanisic goal secured a 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund. The hosts were on course to finally inflict a first defeat on Xabi Alonso’s side and boost their chances of a top-four finish thanks to Niclas Fullkrug’s 81st-minute opener but there was late drama as the visitors had the final say.
Josip Stanisic of Bayer Leverkusen celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
Image credit: Getty Images
Josip Stanisic extended Bayer Leverkusen unbeaten run to 45 matches with a headed goal deep into injury-time to rescue a 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund.
After being crowned Bundesliga champions last weekend and knocking West Ham out of the UEFA Europa League in midweek, a somewhat tired Leverkusen were defending their unbeaten run.
They came up against a buoyant Dortmund side who beat Atletico Madrid to progress into the UEFA Champions League semi-final on Wednesday night.
Despite the Bundesliga winners controlling possession for large parts, it was the hosts who went closest in the first half with Marcel Sabitzer seeing his effort saved by Finnish goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky.
Leverkusen’s best chance fell to Nathan Tella whose close-range effort was blocked by opposing shot stopper Gregor Kobel.
Dortmund looked to have ended their opponent’s unbeaten run with Sabitzer crossing into the path of Niclas Fullkrug who powerfully struck home.
However, Leverkusen salvaged their unbeaten record with a 97th-minute goal as a Alejandro Grimaldo corner was met by the head of Stanisic.
Fifth placed Dortmund face RB Leipzig next weekend and sit just two points behind them in the battle for fourth.
Talking Point - Bayer Leverkusen refuse to give up once again
Under boss Xabi Alonso, the Bundesliga winners refuse to be beaten and once again salvaged a draw from the clutches of defeat.
Despite being far from at their best against Borussia Dortmund, the champions found a way to salvage their record and could be on their way to going a whole season unbeaten.
It seemed a matter of when not if they would equalise in the last moments and Stanisic’s leveller sparked wild celebrations.
Player of the Match - Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen)
With his side struggling to create chances from open play the set-piece ability of Alejandro Grimaldo helped them towards a 45th unbeaten match.
Grimaldo saw two dipping free-kicks narrowly kept out by Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Kobel. The Spaniard then providing a searching cross for Stanisic to head home the equaliser.
Player Ratings
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel 8, Ryerson 7, Hummels 7, Schlotterbeck 6, Maatsen 6, Sancho 7, Sabitzer 8, Can 6, Brandt 6, Bynoe-Gittens 6, Fullkrug 7. Subs: Duranville 6, Nmecha 6, Ozcan 6, Reus 7, Wolf 7
Bayer Leverkusen: Hradecky 8, Tapsoba 7, Tah 7, Hincapie 6, Stanisic 7, Xhaka 7, Andrich 6, Grimaldo 8, Frimpong 7, Hofmann 7, Tella 7. Subs: Boniface 7, Schick 6, Wirtz 7
Match Highlights
42 - BIG SAVE BY HRADECKY: Dortmund go close to getting an opener goal as Sabitzer sees his effort inside the box well saved by goalkeeper Hradecky before the rebound is cleared.
68 - CHANCE FOR TELLER: Hofmann beats the off-side trap and squares the ball across for Teller who stretching to meet the ball sees his effort closed from close-range by Kobel
81 - GOAL! Borussia Dortmund 1 Bayer Leverkusen 0 (Fullkrug): Dortmund hit quickly with a quick throw-in results in Sabitzer crossing into the path of Fullkrug who volleys the ball home despite the best efforts of goalkeeper Hradecky.
90+7 - GOAL! Borussia Dortmund 1 Bayer Leverkusen 1 (Stanisic): A Grimaldo corner is met by the head of Stanisic who flicks his header across goal to score the latest of equalisers.
Key Stat
- Bayer Leverkusen have scored 14 Bundesliga goals in the last 10 minutes of matches this season and 26 in all competitions.
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