DFB-Pokal Shock: Leverkusen Knocks Dortmund Out as Niko Kovac Faces First Title Exit

In a surprising turn of events, Bayer Leverkusen eliminated Borussia Dortmund from the DFB-Pokal with a narrow 1-0 victory. The match took place during the round of 16, just nine days after Dortmund’s management expressed confidence in their title aspirations.

Key Moments of the Match

The game’s only goal came in the 34th minute. Leverkusen executed a skillful play that saw Alex Grimaldo pass to Maza. Maza initially struggled against a defender but regained control and successfully struck the ball into the top right corner of the net. This marked Maza’s fourth goal of the season.

• Goal Scorer: Maza (34th minute)
• Match Outcome: Leverkusen 1, Dortmund 0
• Dortmund’s Tournament Exit: Round of 16

Strategic Changes by Niko Kovac

Coach Niko Kovac made notable adjustments to the starting lineup. Following their recent 2-1 victory over Leverkusen in the league, Kovac opted to start Fábio Silva instead of the regular Serhou Guirassy. Silva, who joined the team for €22.5 million from Wolverhampton, struggled to make an impact and did not register any significant chances in the match.

On the other hand, Dortmund’s promising player, Karim Adeyemi, failed to capitalize on key opportunities. He was denied a goal after a save by Andrich and missed another chance shortly after.

Controversial Decisions

One of the match’s pivotal moments came in the 19th minute. Leverkusen’s Chukwuemeka was brought down in the penalty area, but referee Stieler allowed the game to continue, and VAR did not intervene. This decision proved advantageous for Leverkusen and unfortunate for Dortmund.

Match Statistics

Dortmund’s elimination from the DFB-Pokal highlights a disappointing end to their campaign as they now shift focus to upcoming matches in the league. The defeat raises questions about the team’s performance and strategy under Kovac’s leadership.