Overview
- Ibrahim Maza scored in the 34th minute to put Bayer Leverkusen ahead in the round of 16, and the holders saw out the 1-0 win in Dortmund.
- Niko Kovac made four changes from Saturday’s league victory, starting Fabio Silva for his first BVB start and leaving top scorer Serhou Guirassy on the bench.
- Dortmund produced quick, vertical attacks and created several clear chances, with Karim Adeyemi twice denied by last-ditch interventions from Jonas Hofmann and Robert Andrich.
- Around the 70th minute, Kovac introduced Maximilian Beier, Julian Brandt and Guirassy, but sustained late pressure failed to force an equalizer.
- Nico Schlotterbeck said the exit hurt “extremely,” Leverkusen advanced in their title defense, and Dortmund now host Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Sunday.