THAT'S IT! The whistle sounds and we have reached the end of the match at the BayArena.
90'
Into stoppage time and there has yet to be any indication of just how much is to be played. There likely should not be more than a couple minutes, with very little in terms of stoppages.
88'
Offside! A ball played over the top is chased down by Castro, but the flag is up for offside. It was a close call, but it hardly matters anyway, as Hummels recovers well and shoulders the midfielder off the ball.
86'
With four minutes plus any added time remaining, it is looking unlikely that we will have a winner in this contest. The two teams have grown quite tired and it has become something of a rugby match in midfield. To concede late would be incredibly harsh on either side.
84'
Sahin sends it wide! It was an admirable attempt from the midfielder, who latches onto a headed clearance and volleys it at goal. Leno scrambles to get across, but it winds up not mattering as the ball bounces just wide of the far post.
82'
STAT ATTACK: Dortmund have yet to keep a clean sheet on their travels this season, allowing exactly two goals in eight of their nine games.
81'
A. Ramos enters the game and replaces C. Immobile.
80'
Ciro Immobile appears to have taken his last steps on the pitch today as Adrian Ramos gets set to replace him. It is a like for like change from Jurgen Klopp, and the final one for Dortmund at that.
78'
The chess match in midfield continues. For as entertaining as it has been when the two teams get into attack, it has been just the opposite in midfield. Sloppy play and errant passes have plagued both teams, with the fight for space still ongoing.
76'
WHAT A CHANCE! Rolfes makes his presence felt almost immediately, threading a sensational ball through for Castro. The midfielder gets in behind the defence and spots Weidenfeller coming off his line, chipping the ball over the keeper but also over the bar!
Minute
Description
74'
S. Rolfes enters the game and replaces H. Çalhanoğlu.
Hakan Calhanoglu has made his final contribution as he is replaced by the experienced Simon Rolfes. The Turkish international got on the end of the best chance for either team, but saw his shot cleared off the line by Hummels.
72'
The hosts take their turn to attack with pace, and as has been the case for them throughout, it all goes through Bellarabi again. The winger shows some excellent skill on the ball to cut into the area, but slips at the vital moment as he fails to pick out a cross.
70'
Leverkusen make their first change of the match, introducing German under-19 international Julian Brandt, with Josip Drmic giving way. The Swiss forward failed to make his presence felt in the final third, so perhaps the fresh legs will be a welcome addition to the hosts in attack.
69'
J. Brandt enters the game and replaces J. Drmić.
68'
STAT ATTACK: The two teams drew this fixture last season at the BayArena 2-2, with Dortmund twice coming back from behind. All four goals came in the first half of the match.
66'
GREAT DEFENDING! Kampl makes his presence felt, twisting and turning his way into the penalty area. Twice he looked to have the beating of Spahic, but the centre-back stays with the Slovenian to block his cross behind for a corner. The visitors are coming to life, as are their fans in attendance!
64'
THUNDERED OVER! Leverkusen hearts skip a beat as Immobile makes a sensational run down the left and makes quick work of Hilbert before breaking into the area. Toprak slides in at the vital moment to slow down an attempted cutback pass for Reus, who cannot make clean contact as his shot cannons miles over the bar.
62'
H. Mkhitaryan enters the game and replaces K. Großkreutz.
Perhaps the introduction of Henrikh Mkhitaryan will help the visitors. The midfielder is on to replace Kevin Grosskreutz and should provide some much needed inventiveness in attack.
60'
Dortmund are back to their old ways again, as they are relegating to trying to hit back on the counter. They have been unable to pick out a decisive pass and are nearly made to pay this time as Leverkusen break following a turnover. Bellarabi whips a ball in from the right, but Weidenfeller dives out to collect.
58'
Leverkusen are taking over the game now as they mount attack after attack. Drmic does well to win a corner under pressure from Hummels, but the chance isn't taken. The visitors break quickly, but Grosskreutz cannot pick out Reus as the counter fizzles out.
56'
STAT ATTACK: Dortmund's one point from their last eight away games is their worst run in the Bundesliga since the 1983-84 season when they lost eight in a row amidst a stretch of 21 matches on their travels without a victory (D6, L15).
54'
WASTED CHANCE! Shots are coming in much quicker now, as both teams search for the opener. A good link up between Drmic and Castro is just broken up, but the ball falls kindly for Kiessling. The striker has options around him, but instead opts to have a go himself, sending it harmlessly wide of the near post.
52'
Now Castro fires over! The midfielder picks up the ball after a coming together between Kiessling and Hummels before blasting a shot over the bar. Following the play, the striker argues he should have won a foul, and Hummels looks over with a rye smile. That was as cool as you would like from the defender, who did well to break up a threatening move.
50'
NEARLY THERE FOR DORTMUND! Leverkusen struggle to deal with a strong run from Sokratis, and a clearance ricochets off Ginter and breaks ever so kindly for Immobile. The striker latches onto it inside the area and tries to power a shot into the far corner, but Leno dives across to punch it away with great distance.
48'
The second half has started much slower than the first, with Dortmund trying to slow the game and take a more patient approach with their build-up play. They have struggled to get the better of the Leverkusen when using their pace, so perhaps this change in tactics will help them.
46'
N. Subotić enters the game and replaces Ł. Piszczek.
Leverkusen get the second half underway! One change to tell you about at the break, with Lukasz Piszczek off after picking up a thigh injury, being replaced by Neven Subotic.
45'
There will be no added time as the referee blows the whistle just a few seconds after the 45 minutes pass, bringing an end to this first half.
43'
Dortmund are enjoying more possession as they make one last push before the break. They are struggling to break down this stout Leverkusen defence, however, with the hosts keeping their shape ever so well.
41'
The pace has slowed just a bit with half time approaching. The flow has been exceptional throughout the opening 40 minutes and it makes sense that the players have begun to tire a bit.
39'
K. Kampl gets yellow.
Kevin Kampl picks up his first yellow card in the Bundesliga as he sticks a leg out to take down his opponent to prevent a quick break.
38'
MATS HUMMELS - AKA SUPERMAN! What an absolutely vital contribution from the centre-back, who has been superb thus far! Bellarabi runs into acres of space on the right and makes his way into the area. He picks out Calhanoglu in the centre and the midfielder's first time shot has Weidenfeller beaten. Hummels is back with cover, however, and fearlessly dives out to his right to head the powerful shot off the line! Absolutely magnificent stuff from the German international!
36'
No one can argue that the attacking intent has been lacking, but the match is certainly screaming out for a step up in quality. Both teams are plenty capable in attack, with a number of goal scoring threats out on the pitch. That has yet to translate into chances, however, as the two defences have held the upper hand thus far.
34'
STAT ATTACK: Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last 13 Bundesliga matches at the BayArena dating back to last season (W6, D7). They have been held scoreless just once over that span.
32'
The free kick straight out from the right post is taken by Calhanoglu. The midfielder opts not to try and dip or curl a shot over the wall, instead trying to pick out the far bottom corner. Weidenfeller reads it well, however, making a comfortable save.
31'
M. Schmelzer gets yellow.
Great run from Bellarabi! The winger has posed a real threat along the right, this time cutting into the centre before being taken out by Schmelzer atop the area. The defender is booked, but more worrying for the visitors will be the chance here from the ensuing set piece...
29'
JUST WIDE! Nuri Sahin, who missed the entire first half of the season due to injury, takes a pass at the top of the area and has a good look at goal. He never has been one to pass up a shot, but cannot get his effort on target, pulling it just a foot or two wide of the far post.
27'
Dortmund are looking increasingly threatening as they attack with pace. They win a free kick to the left of the area, and the delivery from Reus is an inviting one, but Toprak manages to head behind for a corner.
25'
There has been a stoppage in play with Wendell down and in need of attendance from the medical staff. The left-back gets up under his own power, and although he has to make his way off temporarily, he should be fine to continue.
23'
Dortmund are having a bit of trouble clearing their lines. Leverkusen are generating good pressure, and altough they have yet to find a way in behind, the visitors do appear to be struggling to win the ball back and transition into attack.
21'
This is just their first game together, but Kampl and Reus appear to have a very good understanding of each other's game. The Slovenian seems to have been given the freedom to roam around in attack, and is linking up well with Reus. Immobile has been the weak link in that connection up top early on, failing to read the play of his teammates and get on the end of a threatening pass.
19'
STAT ATTACK: Dortmund have won just two of their last 20 Bundesliga matches, keeping two clean sheets over that span (D3, L15).
17'
Leverkusen keep possession well in the attacking third and their build up play has anticipation growing inside the stadium. Dortmund keep their shape and defend the move well, however, as Hummels shows good strength to hold off Kiessling and usher the ball behind for a goal kick.
15'
There has been a lovely pace to the match through the opening 15 minutes, but the flow has been interrupted by some errant passes in midfield. Neither side has been able to take control, as they exchange attacks. We are just lacking a good final ball, but there certainly appears to be goals on the horizon!
13'
J. Drmić gets yellow.
DID HE HANDLE IT?! The Dortmund players and fans alike shout for the referee to take action as Leno charges off his line to collect a through ball. The keeper's momentum takes him outside the area, where he quickly tries to let go of it before clearing the threat. That could have been costly for Leverkusen!
11'
Dortmund push back and win a free kick in a threatening positon to the right of the area from 25 yards out. The visitors cram men into the penalty area, but the end result is a letdown as the delivery is cleared by the first defender at the near post.
9'
Superb defensive cover! Bellarabi and and Bender link up well along the right, and the winger dribbles his way past a couple of defenders and into the area. He gets close to goal and tries to slide the ball across the area, but in slides Kevin Kampl to break up the move! That is his first contribution in a Dortmund jersey and it will certainly please the fans.
7'
STAT ATTACK: Dortmund have not lost in seven trips to the BayArena (W3, D4). There have been 24 goals scored between the two teams over that span, averaging four a game if you eradicate the one scoreless draw.
5'
IMPORTANT INTERVENTION! Dortmund manage to get forward and create an attack of their own. A ball in from Grosskreutz is not dealt with convincingly by Leverkusen and nearly falls for Immobile at the far post. Leno is quick to react, however, rushing off his line to pluck the ball out of the air at the vital moment.
3'
There has been a very lively start to the match with Leverkusen pushing the tempo and applying some early pressure. It results in them winning a corner, but Calhanoglu's delivery ventures out of play as the chance is wasted.
1'
There is a lovely applause for the late Junior Malanda ahead of kick-off and Dortmund get us underway, moving left to right. BVB in yellow and black. Leverkusen in red. Here we go!
Welcome back, Bundesliga fans! The day's action comes to a conclusion with a cracking match as Bayer Leverkusen play host to Borussia Dortmund at the BayArena in their first game back after a lengthy winter break. I am Alex Moretto and I will be your in-game host, guiding you through the match LIVE as it happens!
There is still half a season to play, but the race for the third and final automatic Champions League spot already appears as though it will come down to the final weekend. Bayer Leverkusen have claim to third place at the moment, but with just one point separating them from the three teams below, they can ill-afford to slip up.
CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS:
Borussia Dortmund have been the biggest surprise in Europe this season, but not in the way they would have liked. They blazed through their Champions League group and into the last 16, yet are tied for last place in the Bundesliga. The winter break likely wasn't much of a break for Jurgen Klopp's team, as they worked to iron out the kinks in the hopes of turning their fate around in the second half of the season – though a spot in Europe next season would require a minor miracle.
Heung-Min Son is still away on international duty with South Korea at the Asian Cup and is replaced by Josip Drmic in the starting XI. Just two other changes from coach Roger Schmidt, with Roberto Hilbert replacing Tin Jedvaj at right-back and Gonzalo Castro slotting in for Simon Rolfes in the heart of midfield.
Ilkay Gundogan is forced to sit out with a thigh injury, paving the way for new signing Kevin Kampl, who arrived during transfer window from Salzburg for 12 million euros, to pick up his first Bundesliga start. Marco Reus has returned to full health, replacing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has only just returned from international duty at the Arfica Cup of Nations. Jurgen Klopp has made two other changes, with Sokratis slotting in at centre-back, pushing Matthias Ginter into midfield, where he starts alongside Nuri Sahin, replacing Sebastian Kehl and Oliver Kirch in the starting XI.
HALF TIME: LEVERKUSEN 0-0 DORTMUND. We are still awaiting a breakthrough at the BayArena, but it has not been for a lack of trying. Both sides look eager to get into attack and search for an opener, but require a better final ball. Calhanoglu was presented with the best chance of the half, with Bellarabi setting him up for a shot inside the area, but Hummels showed his class with a superb goal line clearance.
FULL TIME: LEVERKUSEN 0-0 DORTMUND. There is no separating the two sides, and a draw is the fairest result. Neither side did enough to claim all three points, but certainly defended well enough to earn a share of the spoils. The defeat pushes Dortmund into sole possession of last place in the Bundesliga and Jurgen Klopp's men have their work cut out for them.
I am Alex Moretto and I would like to thank you all for joining me here today. Good bye!
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