Bayer Leverkusen remains without losing, now at 45 games in all competitions, after Josip Stanisic scored in the seventh minute of added time to secure a 1-1 draw at Borussia Dortmund on Sunday.
Leverkusen, who were crowned Bundesliga champions for the first time last week, seemed likely to lose the unbeaten record as Dortmund’s Niclas Fuellkrug scored with nine minutes remaining.
However, Leverkusen once again scored late in the game, with Stanisic's goal coming from a corner deep into added time.
This was Leverkusen’s 14th goal to come after the 90th minute this season and it kept their hopes of being the first team to go unbeaten through a Bundesliga season alive.
Granit Xhaka, Leverkusen midfielder, told DAZN, “It’s not easy to play when you’re already champions, but we challenged ourselves to stay unbeaten this season and that’s our goal.”
Leverkusen had another successful week, having secured the German title and reaching the Europa League semi-finals after defeating West Ham.
Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso said, “I feel good — almost as good as last week.”
He added, “To score like that at the end was very emotional and to celebrate right in front of our fans. Not losing… it’s nice.”
Both teams seemed fatigued from their midweek European matches, with Dortmund having reached the Champions League semi-finals with a thrilling win over Atletico Madrid.
In the first half, neither team managed to create a clear chance, with Alex Grimaldo for Leverkusen and the hosts’ Marcel Sabitzer going closest.
With under 10 minutes remaining, Fuellkrug put Dortmund on track to be the first team to defeat Leverkusen this season.
Sabitzer delivered a cross in front of goal to Fuellkrug, who fired a volley past Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky and into the net.
Alonso brought on Victor Boniface in search of a late goal and the Nigerian was initially shown a red card for his involvement in a scuffle, but it was overturned by VAR.
In stoppage time, Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel saved a Grimaldo free-kick, leading to a corner where Bayern Munich loanee Stanisic headed in the ball.
The draw leaves Dortmund two points behind fourth-placed RB Leipzig in the race for the final guaranteed Champions League place, although the performances of Germany’s teams in Europe seem likely to secure at least a fifth spot for the Bundesliga.
Dortmund will travel to Leipzig next week and will be without Ian Maatsen and captain Emre Can, who received yellow cards, due to suspension.
In Sunday’s late game, Mainz drew 1-1 at Freiburg, lifting themselves out of the relegation spots for the first time since August.
Jonathan Burkardt equalized for the visitors after Michael Gregoritsch’s early goal, moving Mainz to 15th place and pushing Bochum into the relegation play-off spot.
– Ducksch doubles up –
Marvin Ducksch scored twice, guiding Werder Bremen to a 2-1 home win over high-flying Stuttgart, and taking a significant step towards securing their position in the top flight.
This victory, Bremen’s first since mid-February, moved Ole Werner’s side to 34 points, eight points clear of the relegation play-off spot and above several teams in danger of being relegated.
The third-place team, which has secured a spot in the Europa League for next season, suffered their first loss since January.
“It was really tough today, no doubt,” Ducksch told DAZN. “I have to give a big compliment to the guys.”
Stuttgart's Jamie Leweling fouled Felix Agu in the penalty area after 27 minutes and the referee awarded a penalty.
Ducksch took the penalty and scored past the goalkeeper Alexander Nuebel.
Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeness made two changes at halftime but Bremen started the second half well, with Ducksch finishing a long passing move to double their lead.
Stuttgart gave themselves hope of achieving at least a draw when Deniz Undav, on loan from Brighton, scored a goal in the 71st minute, his 17th goal of the Bundesliga season.
Top scorer Serhou Guirassy fell in the penalty area in the 87th minute but was judged to be offside, denying him a chance to equalize from the penalty spot.
AFP
