DORTMUND (dpa-AFX) - A crazy wave of illness, blatant defensive weaknesses: Borussia Dortmund lost the spectacular western duel against Bayer Leverkusen and got off to a rocky start in 2025. Coach Nuri Sahin's team, which was severely weakened by injuries, lost to the double champion 2-3 (1-3). In front of 81,365 spectators in the sold-out Dortmund football temple, Nathan Tella scored after just 25 seconds and Patrik Schick (8th/19th minute) scored for Leverkusen.

Bayer 04 moved at least temporarily to within a point of league leaders FC Bayern Munich. Sixth-placed BVB, on the other hand, are threatening to slip out of the international places this weekend after Jamie Gittens (12th minute) and Serhou Guirassy (79th minute, penalty) scored. Difficult days lie ahead for Sahin and his team.

Numerous cases of illness at BVB

"We expect a top game against a top opponent," said Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso. However, top opponent Dortmund had to cope with some severe personnel setbacks at short notice. Six players were absent at short notice due to illness. 21-year-old Yannik Lührs was the only fit central defender. He played in the Bundesliga for the first time from the start.

"We had hoped that one or other of the players would still make it. But it's really tough when a virus goes around. It's super bitter," said BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl on DAZN, not yet suspecting what was to come in the opening phase.

Dortmund's defense reveals major gaps

Bayer 04 ruthlessly exposed Dortmund's defensive problems right from the start. After just 25 seconds, Tella hammered the ball into the goal after a high Leverkusen ball win - it was the second-fastest goal of this Bundesliga season. Only national player Jamal Musiala had been faster for Bayern. Seven minutes later, Schick scored, who was completely free in the center in front of the BVB goal.

The game was never going to rest. Dortmund did not give up and quickly got back into it. Gittens overcame Bayer keeper Lukas Hradecky from close range. However, the joy at this was short-lived. Jeremie Frimpong crossed into the middle, where Schick once again only had to push the ball in. It was the Czech's eleventh goal of the season, and he has scored in each of the last six matches.

Dortmund can hardly find any gaps

Without offensive player Florian Wirtz, whom Alonso left on the bench for a good hour, the Leverkusen team retreated far back at times. The guests relied on their speed and counterattacking strength. Dortmund kept the ball moving but rarely found gaps in the champions' defense. Hradecky made a strong reflex save to divert a shot from Guirassy over the bar. The captain was also on hand to parry a long-range effort from Karim Adeyemi.

Otherwise, Bayer 04 managed the lead quite confidently and was dangerous at times. After an hour, Schick should have scored the 4-1, but he failed to beat Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel when he was through on goal.

So it was exciting again: referee Tobias Stieler decided after viewing the video images and foul on Julien Duranville on penalty kick for Dortmund, the Guirassy safely transformed. Dortmund was now pushing for the compensation, but could not prevail decisively. Leverkusen brought the narrow lead over time./the/DP/he