Bayer Leverkusen Vs. Borussia Dortmund: Mario Goetze Adds A Third To Turn Momentum Swing Into Slaughter

Borussia Dortmund have now officially blown their game against Bayer Leverkusen wide open, scoring a third goal in just six minutes. This one came from Mario Goetze, and while the finish from Goetze and the effort from his teammates have to be applauded, it has to be mentioned that Bayer completely fell asleep, obviously lacking in focus after going behind by two goals following a dead even first half.

Kevin Grosskreutz created the goal by winning a 50-50 challenge, knocking the ball out into an unoccupied space about 30 yards from goal, on the left side of the pitch. Goetze was the man in the best position to get onto that ball and ran at it, completely unmarked. He ran 20 yards with the ball untouched and finished well between the legs of Rene Adler from very close range, inside of 10 yards. After 45 minutes, the score was 0-0. After 55 minutes, Dortmund had a 0-3 lead. On television, their away fans are extremely audible, out-singing the Bayer fans who have been stunned silent.

In reaction to the instant 3-0 slaughtering that his team suffered, Bayer manager Jupp Heynckes decided to make three substitutions. Tranquillo Barnetta, Arturo Vidal, and Eren Derdiyok have entered for Sidney Sam, Lars Bender, and Patrick Helmes. Those changes are about as close to like for like as Bayer could have possibly made and doesn’t indicate a change in formation or a significant change in tactics, other than fresh bodies with slightly different skill sets.