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.

Patrik Schick scored a first-half brace as Bayer Leverkusen won 3-2 at a flu-hit Borussia Dortmund on Friday, closing the gap to Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich to one point. A late Serhou Guirassy penalty gave Dortmund hope but Leverkusen held on for their ninth straight win in all competitions,

Champions Bayer Leverkusen battled past hosts Borussia Dortmund 3-2 with two goals from Patrik Schick on Friday to move within a point of leaders Bayern Munich with a sixth straight league win.

Patrik Schick strikes twice for victors at Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park as Leverkusen close gap with Bayern Munich - Anadolu Ajansı

Two goals from Patrik Schick helped Bayer Leverkusen battle past Borussia Dortmund to a 3-2 victory on Friday, claiming a sixth-straight league win. ( More Football News) Dortmund suffered their first home loss of the Bundesliga campaign, while Leverkusen moved within one point of leaders Bayern Munich.

Patrik Schick scored a brace in a furious start as champions Bayer Leverkusen returned out of the Bundesliga winter break with a 3-2 victory at heavily depleted Borussia Dortmund on Friday to mount the pressure on leaders Bayern Munich.