Borussia Dortmund 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen: Josip Stanisic grabs 97th ...

12 days ago
Dortmund

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.

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 what not if they would equalise in the last moments and Josip Stanisic’s leveller sparked wild celebrations.

Play 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.

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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