Bayer Leverkusen 2-4 Borussia Dortmund Player Ratings: Ruthless BVB Ruin Xabi Alonso's Final Home Game With Crushing Win

Borussia Dortmund picked up a decisive 4-2 win over Bayer Leverkusen in their Bundesliga clash at the BayArena, Leverkusen on Sunday, May 11, 2025. The hosts took a lead through Jeremie Frimpong, but BVB rallied back with four unanswered goals. Jonas Hoffman's late goal was only a consolation, with the visitors ruining Xabi Alonso's final home game in charge of Bayer Leverkusen.

The game began in blistering fashion as the hosts looked really determined to put on a show. Florian Wirtz had a nice shooting opportunity in the third minute, but his effort went wide. Alex Grimaldo had a powerful shot saved well by Gregor Kobel in the 8th minute, before Robert Andrich's effort four minutes later was also denied.

There was some controversy regarding a penalty in the 19th minute after Alex Grimaldo was tugged down, but VAR called it off. Nathan Tella had a swift effort saved sharply in the 27th minute, but Bayer Leverkusen finally took the lead in the 30th minute. Jeremie Frimpong was able to power a shot past Kobel to make it 1-0. Borussia Dortmund, however, started to push forward after that. Julian Brandt was able to finish off a swift break to make it 1-1 in the 33rd minute.

Tella had a shot expertly denied in the 40th minute before the visitors took the lead. In the 43rd minute, the ball was played in the box to Mike Ryerson, who powered a shot into the back of the net. The hosts tried their best to equalize late on. Amine Adli had a close-range effort saved really well in the 45+4' minute, before he also struck the bar a minute later to end the half in frustrating fashion.

Borussia Dortmund didn't let Bayer Leverkusen control the start of the second half, with substitute Marcel Sabitzer having a shot go wide in the 54th minute. Bayer were made to pay for not being efficient enough as BVB took a 3-1 leading the 73rd minute after Karim Adeyemi burst forward on a counterattack to score past the goalkeeper.

They made it 4-1 in the 77th minute after Serhou Guirassy's smashing finish from close range. Jonas Hoffman was able to score a nice diving head int he 92nd minute to make it 4-2, but the hosts were unable to do much more to save Xabi Alonso's final game from being a crushing loss, as the win keeps Borussia Dortmund's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League alive as they're one point behind the top 4.

Bayer Leverkusen Player Ratings vs Borussia Dortmund

GK - Lukas Hradecky - 4/10

The experienced goalkeeper had a frustrating outing. He had a few shots at his goal but could've perhaps done better with his positioning with a few. Easily beaten for the first goal. Easily outwitted for Adeyemi's goal too.

RWB - Jeremie Frimpong - 6.5/10

Frimpong was a real livewire on the right wing and his forward runs were a big problem for the visitors. Created a few nice chances with his accurate delivery and produce a great finish for his goal. He was shaky defensively.

RCB - Edmond Tapsoba - 5/10

Tapsoba was quite involved inside his box and came up with quite a few key clearances in the area. But his positioning for Brandt's goal was a bit questionable.

CB - Jonathan Tah - 3/10

Tah couldn't really hold together a sharp enough defensive line for his side despite a strong start. His positioning for both goals was not compelling, he was easily outpaced for the third and caught in a bad position for the fourth. A sloppy final game at the BayArena for the German.

LCB - Piero Hincapie - 6.5/10

Hincapie had a really topsy-turvy game. He made four tackles and won 10 duels but was caught in some bad positions as both the BVB goals came through his side.

LWB - Alex Grimaldo - 5.5/10

The Spaniard was a positive figure going forward, being able to create some nice chances and move the ball around well. Defensively, however, he was a bit shaky and was outwitted multiple times by their speedy attacks.

CM - Robert Andrich - 6/10

Andrich was a positive in moving the all forward nicely and regaining the possession in some nice areas. But he lacked that creative touch and was a bit shaky in the fast-breaks too.

CM - Granit Xhaka - 5.5/10

Xhaka was the orchastrator of a number of big moves, with his excellent final third passes tormenting the visitors. He moved the ball along really well and regaining possession many times too. Lost the ball badly for the third and fourth goals.

RAM - Florian Wirtz - 8/10

Wirtz was a menacing threat going forward, carrying the ball forward really swiftly and testing the opponents with some dangerous shots. He created a few nice chances and produced a stellar assist after clever movement in the final third. Assisted the second with an expert cross.

LAM - Amine Adil - 5.5/10

Adil was able to get at the end of some big chances, but lady luck didn't favor him at all. He had a close range shot denied and also had another effort strike the bar. Worked hard, but lacked the final product.

CF - Nathan Tella - 6/10

The young forward was a tormentor for the defenders with his speedy runs and ability to get into the key spaces. Tested the goalkeeper with some nice efforts, but lacked that cutting edge touch.

SUB - Patrik Schick - 5/10

The clinical forward was not really able to get at the end of anything noteworthy after coming on. Failed to make much of an impact in the final third.

SUB - Jonas Hoffman - 7/10

Added some more energy to his side but failed to really create anything. Scored a late consolation with a nice header.

SUB - Exequiel Palacios - 5.5/10

The midfielder helped add a bit more steel to the midfield after coming on.

SUB - Arthur - 6/10

Moved the ball along nicely but couldn't create anything.

SUB - Aleix Garcia - N/R

Had a quite little cameo, having a shot saved.

Manager - Xabi Alonso - 4/10

Alonso had an emotional final game, but not really a memorable one. He was able to motivate his players to play thrilling attacking football from the get-go and hurt the visitors. But his defensive shape was all wrong, allowing them to constantly counter attack them and put them to the sword.

Borussia Dortmund Player Ratings vs Bayer Leverkusen

GK - Gregor Kobel - 8/10

Kobel was a superhero in the goal for his side. He made EIGHT saves in the game, including a few fantasic point-blank saves to stun the hosts. Played a huge role in the win.

RWB - Mike Ryerson - 7/10

Ryerson was occasionally troubled by Bayer's movement down his side, being outwitted a few times. But he was an energetic presence going forward, creating a few nice chances and producing a smashing finish for his goal.

RCB - Niklas Sule - 7/10

Sule was calm and composed at the back, not being intimidated by Bayer's movement. He made nine clearances and made three tackles, being able to thwart so much of their threat.

CB - Waldemar Anton - 6.5/10

Anton was assertive and commanding in the backline, holding together a pretty sturdy defensive shape. He made 10 clearances, frustrating the hosts time and again.

LCB - Remy Bensebaini - 5/10

Bensebaini had a shaky start to the game and was totally outwitted by Wirtz for the opening goal and was outwitted for their second too. Got better as the game moved along, winning quite a few key duels.

LWB - Daniel Svensson - 6/10

The Swedish defender was outwitted at times by Frimpong, but held his own for the majority of the game. He made a few nice clearances and regained possession many times.

CM - Felix Nmecha - 6/10

Nmecha did a pretty good job helping his side hold their own in midfield. He won quite a few duels in the first half, but had to be taken off in the second because of an injury issue.

CM - Pascal Gross - 7/10

Gross was a tormenting factor with his work in midfield, regaining the ball quiet a few times with his clever pressing. He also assisted the second goal with a brilliant pass to Ryerson.

RAM - Julian Brandt - 8.5/10

Brandt was a driving figure for his side, moving his side forward after they went behind. He produced a clever finish for his goal and also assisted Adeyemi's goal with a nice pass.

LAM - Karim Adeyemi -8.5/10

Adeyemi was an absolute nightmare for the defenders with his speedy runs on the counterattacks. Constantly dragged his side forward with his speedy runs and produced a brilliant finish for his goal too. Assisted the first goal with a nice pass too.

CF - Serhou Guirassy - 7.5/10

Guirassy was smart with his link-up play and movement in the final third. Produced a smashing finish for his goal to help his side get a big win.

SUB - Marcel Sabitzer - 6.5/10

The midfielder added more energy and steel to the midfield after coming on. Won quite a few duels and had a shot go wide too.

SUB - Emre Can - 7/10

Can was smart in winning the ball back in key areas. He also assisted Guirassy's goal with a smart pass after regaining the ball.

SUB - Salih Ozcan - 6/10

Helped his side stiffle the hosts in the late stages of the game and get the game over the line.

SUB - Yan Couto - N/R

Added a bit more energy in the final minutes.

SUB - Jamie Gittens - N/R

Couldn't really create much in the late cameo.

Manager - Niko Kovac - 8/10

Kovac shaped up his side really well to be able to absorb all the attacking threat and also counter-attack efficiently. His side were relentless and ruthless on the breaks, being able to regain possession in key areas to hurt the hosts. Masterminded the perfect plan to ruin Alonso's final home game at Bayer Leverkusen and keep his side's Champions League dreams alive.

Sportsdunia's Man of the Match goes to Karim Adeyemi.