Xabi Alonso’s Emotional BayArena Farewell Ends in 4-2 Defeat to Dortmund

Xabi Alonso took charge of his final home match as Bayer Leverkusen manager before his highly anticipated summer move to Real Madrid. Facing a formidable opponent in Borussia Dortmund, Alonso was given a heartfelt send-off by the BayArena faithful — even if the result didn’t go Leverkusen’s way.

The hosts struck first in the 31st minute thanks to a thunderous finish into the top corner from Jeremie Frimpong — a player also attracting heavy interest from Europe’s elite and possibly on the move this summer.

However, Dortmund responded in ruthless fashion, firing in four unanswered goals. Former Leverkusen man Julian Brandt equalised with a powerful close-range effort after a sharp cutback from Karim Adeyemi. Just before the break, a deflected pass from Julian Groß helped Julian Ryerson slot home the second for the visitors.

In the second half, Adeyemi continued to shine, breaking through one-on-one and calmly finishing to make it 3-1. Minutes later, Serhou Guirassy struck from the edge of the box, guiding the ball into the bottom corner to all but seal the win for Dortmund.

Jonas Hofmann added a consolation goal for Leverkusen in stoppage time, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide, as the match ended 2-4.

2024-25, Germany - Bundesliga

Bayer 04 - Borussia D 2:4 (1:2)
Goals: Frimpong J., 30 (1:0); Brandt, 33 (1:1); Ryerson, 43 (1:2); Adeyemi K., 73 (1:3); Guirassy, 77 (1:4); Hofmann, 90 (2:4)

Bayer 04: Hradecky; Hincapie (Arthur Soares, 78); Tah J.; Tapsoba E.; Grimaldo; Frimpong J.; Andrich (Palacios Ex., 67); Wirtz; Tella (Hofmann, 59); Xhaka (Aleix Garcia, 78); Adli A. (Schick, 59)
Bench: Kovar M.; Lomb; Buendia; Boniface

Borussia D: Kobel; Anton; Bensebaini; Svensson D.; Süle; Ryerson (Couto, 87); Nmecha F. (Sabitzer, 46); Brandt (Bynoe-Gittens, 87); Groß (Özcan Sa., 82); Guirassy; Adeyemi K. (Can E., 74)
Bench: Meyer A.; Reyna G.; Chukwuemeka C.; Duranville
Yellow Cards: Groß 23; Nmecha F. 45