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

A second-half goal from Alex Grimaldo sent Bayer Leverkusen to a 1-0 home win over Mainz, closing the gap with league leaders Bayern Munich to one point.With half the season played, Dortmund sit ninth,

Promoted Holstein Kiel had to endure Borussia Dortmund's late comeback attempt but held on to claim a 4-2 win in the Bundesliga on Tuesday. The home crowd was euphoric when Shuto Machino broke the deadlock in the 27th,

Coach Nuri Sahin's job is not up for discussion despite a shocking defeat to promoted Holstein Kiel as Borussia Dortmund dismissed the possibility of sacking him. "We will not have a discussion about the coach,

Criticism of Borussia Dortmund coach Nuri Sahin was widespread during and after Tuesday's 4-2 Bundesliga defeat to Holstein Kiel. But after the game, the 36-year-old was backed by the club's managing director for sport, Lars Ricken, who believes the finger of blame should rather be pointed at the players.

Borussia Dortmund manager Nuri Sahin cut a disconsolate figure on Monday as he counted the cost of a flu-like illness that has cut through his squad and continues to wreak havoc as they prepare to face Holstein Kiel in the Bundesliga.