Match report of Gladbach vs Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen, the reigning Bundesliga champions, kicked off their title defence with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach. The match, marked by late drama and a spectacular storm delay, saw Leverkusen once again secure a win with a last-gasp goal.
Florian Wirtz, last season’s Bundesliga player of the year, converted a rebound from his own saved penalty in the 11th minute of injury time, ensuring Leverkusen extended their unbeaten league streak to 35 games.
This late winner was characteristic of Leverkusen’s recent success. Since the start of last season, the team has scored an impressive 12 game-tying or go-ahead goals in second-half stoppage time, showcasing their resilience and never-say-die attitude.
“Maybe this is our new DNA, let’s say that,” midfielder Granit Xhaka commented after the match. “This is not a blot, to believe until the end, doesn’t matter how we play, doesn’t matter what happened in the game. In the end, the mentality, the quality that we have shown one more time that we believe until the end, and we are happy that we take the three points back home.”
Leverkusen’s manager, Xabi Alonso, echoed this sentiment, attributing their late-goal heroics to the team’s mentality.
The match itself was a rollercoaster of emotions. Leverkusen took an early lead through Xhaka’s thunderous strike and doubled their advantage with a Wirtz goal. However, Gladbach fought back, levelling the score with goals from Nico Elvedi and Tim Kleindienst.
Just as it seemed the match would end in a draw, a penalty was awarded to Leverkusen deep into stoppage time. Wirtz’s initial effort was saved, but he reacted quickly to slot home the rebound, sending the Leverkusen fans into delirium.
While pleased with the victory, Alonso acknowledged areas for improvement. “We weren’t always so compact today; we were also a bit passive in some phases. We have to do that better,” he stated.
The match was briefly interrupted at the start of the second half due to fan-lit flares, adding to the already charged atmosphere.
This thrilling opening match sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting Bundesliga season. Leverkusen’s resilience and ability to snatch victory from the jaws of a draw will undoubtedly make them a formidable force in their title defence.
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