Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen settled for draws in their Champions League group stage matches. Dortmund allowed Bodø/Glimt to force a 2:2, while Leverkusen equalized late against Newcastle United. Injuries to key players raise concerns.
In the Champions League, matches involving Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen ended in draws. Dortmund scored twice through Julian Brandt (18th and 51st minutes) against Norwegian runners-up FK Bodø/Glimt, but Haitam Aleesami (42nd) and Jens Petter Hauge (75th) equalized. The BVB thus missed early entry into the playoffs and now has 11 points. Next opponents are Tottenham Hotspur and Inter Milan. Defender Nico Schlotterbeck criticized: "It’s not bitter, but simply really bad. Winner mentality also means killing the game. We didn’t manage that." Coach Niko Kovač called the performance "definitely too little." A highlight was Marco Reus's return as BVB ambassador, celebrated by 81,365 spectators. Waldemar Anton was substituted with suspected thigh strain.
For Bayer Leverkusen, an own goal by Bruno Guimarães (13th) gave the lead against Newcastle United, but Anthony Gordon (51st, penalty) and Lewis Miley (74th) turned the game. Alejandro Grimaldo (88th) salvaged a point, leaving Leverkusen with nine points. Head coach Kasper Hjulmand was absent for personal reasons, with assistant Rogier Meijer in charge. Striker Patrik Schick was fouled by Malick Thiaw in the first half and limped out after halftime. Meijer said: "It doesn’t look good. There was a big wound on his ankle." Captain Robert Andrich demanded a red card. Simon Rolfes emphasized that Schick must elevate his leg. Whether the goalscorer plays Saturday against Köln remains uncertain. Hjulmand is expected to return.
