Bayer Leverkusen has started the year with a big boost to its hopes of defending the Bundesliga title after beating a depleted Borussia Dortmund 3-2.

Bayer Leverkusen return from the Bundesliga's winter break with victory at Borussia Dortmund to maintain the pressure on leaders Bayern Munich.

Dortmund currently sit in sixth place with 25 points and are two points behind a top four spot whilst Leverkusen are in second place and are now just four points behind the league leaders Bayern Munich.

The two standout German teams from last season are on opposite trajectories as the pressure mounts in the Bundesliga and Champions League.

Bayer Leverkusen's 3-2 victory at Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga restart on Friday showed the development and discipline of the German champions, coach Xabi Alonso said.

The English Woche continued in the Bundesliga as we were treated to a midweek matchday. There were a total of xx goals, with 18 of them all coming on Tuesday evening. From relegation six-pointers to