Dortmund Defeated 2-1 in Kovac's Debut

In his debut as Borussia Dortmund's head coach, Niko Kovač faced a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Bayer Leverkusen, further distancing his team from Champions League qualification. The match started poorly for Dortmund, with defensive errors leading to their downfall. Although Julian Brandt managed to score late in the game, Dortmund's attempts to equalize were hampered by Julian Ryerson's dismissal for a second yellow card. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen played to a goalless draw against Wolfsburg, extending their unbeaten away streak to 27 games but falling eight points behind Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich. Coach Xabi Alonso expressed frustration at the increasing gap, while goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky noted that games they drew this season were victories in their previous title-winning campaign. Dortmund's loss highlights the challenges ahead for Kovač as he attempts to revitalize a struggling Dortmund squad.