Bayer Leverkusen Set To Host Borussia Dortmund In Clash Of Bayern Hunters

01.12.2023 - 13:21 sports.ndtv.com

Bayer Leverkusen welcome Borussia Dortmund on Sunday with the hosts sitting clear atop the Bundesliga table, having dropped just two of a possible 36 points to start the season.

Although only two points ahead of a Harry Kane-powered Bayern Munich, Leverkusen are already a whopping ten points in front of Dortmund, with only 12 matches played.

While many have credited manager Xabi Alonso for giving Leverkusen's long-suffering fans hope of adding to a sparse trophy cabinet, a shrewd summer recruitment drive has also set them up for success.

Using the proceeds of Moussa Diaby's sale to Aston Villa, Leverkusen brought in striker Victor Boniface, winger Jonas Hofmann, midfielder Granit Xhaka, while Alex Grimaldo joined from Benfica on a free.

Football RB Leipzig Borussia Dortmund Aston Villa Jude Bellingham Harry Kane Granit Xhaka Bayer Leverkusen Xabi Alonso Marcel Sabitzer Jonas Hofmann Alex Grimaldo Felix Nmecha Bayern München Germany

Patrik Schick scored a first-half hat-trick as Bayer Leverkusen thumped Bochum 4-0 at home to stay four points clear of Bayern Munich, who won 2-1 at Wolfsburg on Wednesday. Harry Kane's 21st league goal was the difference in Bayern's victory but Leverkusen continued their stellar record to claim the three points and keep the German champions at bay. With January's Africa Cup of Nations in mind, Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso rested several first teamers, including Nigeria striker Victor Boniface.

Bayern’s Kane ‘can’t wait’ for first Bundesliga winter break

Bayern Munich’s German forward #10 Leroy Sane (R) has his free kick blocked by the Wolfsburg wall lead by Wolfsburg’s German midfielder #27 Maximilian Arnold (L) during the German first division Bundesliga football match between VfL Wolfsburg and FC Bayern Munich in Wolfsburg, on December 20, 2023. (Photo by Ronny HARTMANN / AFP)

Harry Kane Brace Helps Bayern Munich Keep Pace With Leaders Leverkusen

Harry Kane scored a goal in each half as Bayern Munich brushed off Stuttgart 3-0 on Sunday to stay four points behind Bayer Leverkusen, who beat Eintracht Frankfurt earlier by the same scoreline. Leverkusen's win meant the perennial German champions started seven points behind but Kane settled nerves by netting after two minutes, tapping home a pass from Leroy Sane. Bayern lost midfielders Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich to flu just hours before the match and had only five outfield players on the bench but dominated a listless Stuttgart.

Leverkusen down Frankfurt 3-0 to stay four points clear at the top

LEVERKUSEN, Germany :Bayer Leverkusen's Victor Boniface scored and helped set up two more goals in a 3-0 victory over visitors Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday as the Bundesliga leaders stayed four point clear.

Kane double helps Bayern's title chase in 3-0 win over Stuttgart

MUNICH, Germany : Bundesliga top scorer Harry Kane struck once in each half to steer Bayern Munich to a 3-0 victory over fourth-placed VfB Stuttgart on Sunday and leave them four points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen with a game in hand.

Dortmund slip up again with 1-1 draw at Augsburg to stay fifth

BERLIN : Borussia Dortmund stumbled to a 1-1 draw at Augsburg on Saturday to make it three league games without a win and lose further ground in the title race.