Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen suffered their first league defeat since May 2023, falling 3-2 at home to RB Leipzig. The loss ended Leverkusen’s impressive 35-match unbeaten run in the top flight, a streak that spanned 463 days.
In a dramatic encounter, Leverkusen initially took a commanding lead with goals from Jeremie Frimpong and Alex Grimaldo. However, Leipzig rallied in the second half with Kevin Kampl scoring just before the break and Lois Openda finding the net twice to secure victory for the visitors.
Leverkusen captain Jonathan Tah expressed disappointment, stating, “We had the chance to finish the game, but the goals we conceded were far too easy. We defend as a team, but we fell asleep a few times and of course we’re going to be punished.”
Leverkusen’s record of 43 domestic matches without defeat came to a halt despite their late efforts. Coach Xabi Alonso’s side, known for their late-game heroics, failed to find an equaliser this time.
Leipzig coach Marco Rose was sent to the stands in the first half after receiving two yellow cards for dissent, particularly following a controversial incident where Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface clashed with Amadou Haidara.
Borussia Dortmund, struggling with injuries and form, were held to a goalless draw by Werder Bremen. Dortmund dominated possession but were unable to break through Bremen’s defence and played the final 17 minutes with 10 men after Nico Schlotterbeck was sent off.
Dortmund came into the game with a makeshift attack following the loan departure of Sebastien Haller and continued absence of summer signing Serhou Guirassy due to a knee injury. Schlotterbeck’s second yellow card, for a foul on Justin Njinmah, left Dortmund exposed.
Midfielder Pascal Gross reflected on the performance, saying, “Everything isn’t exactly great yet. The coach prepared us well but we need to do better at implementing it.”
Stuttgart, last season’s surprise runners-up, dropped points from a winning position once again. They drew 3-3 with Mainz after conceding a last-minute equaliser. Stuttgart initially took control with goals from Enzo Millot and Jamie Leweling but allowed Mainz to level the score through a penalty by Nadiem Amiri and a header from Jonathan Burkardt. Despite Fabian Rieder’s stunning free-kick giving Stuttgart the lead again, Maxim Leitsch’s stoppage-time goal salvaged a point for Mainz.
Eintracht Frankfurt celebrated a 3-1 victory over Hoffenheim, with Hugo Ekitike scoring the opener and assisting Hugo Larsson’s goal. Hoffenheim’s Andrej Kramaric, who had a hat-trick in the previous match, pulled one back, but Omar Marmoush sealed the win for Frankfurt.
In other matches, Borussia Moenchengladbach secured a 2-0 victory at Bochum, while top-flight newcomers Holstein Kiel are still seeking their first Bundesliga point after a 2-0 home loss to Wolfsburg.
