Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-3 Bayer LeverkusenGoals: 0-1 Xhaka 12′, 0-2 Wirtz 38′, 1-2 Elvedi 60′, 2-2 Kleindienst 85′ (assist: Stöger), 2-3 Wirtz (90’+11 )
Leverkusen started the festival with the confidence of an unbeaten team in some 41 competitive matches against German opposition. Former Gladbach midfielder Granit Xhaka scored a proper opener, firing past Jonas Omlin from almost 25 yards to finish off the enthusiastic travellers, who are still standing. The crest of a wave after last season’s historic national double: in delight. Lukáš Hrádecký had to fear an effort from Rocco Reitz, but Bayer were affected when Victor Boniface and Edmond Tapsoba made quick moves against the post. Piero Hincapie prevented Tim Kleindienst from taking the Foals’ point against the play-from-play streak, before Wirtz scored his first goal of the crusade after Omlin parried Alex Grimaldo from close range. Kleindienst did have the ball in the net at the end of the first half, but the goal was fouled on Hincapié after a VAR review.
Omlin made strong saves from Jonas Hofmann and Jeremie Frimpong as Leverkusen searched for the third goal that would actually have put the result beyond doubt. However, Gladbach had not read the script and an hour later he halved the gap. After Hrádecký brilliantly stopped Nico Elvedi, the Dortmund defender was the quickest to come back. The goal stood this time after a lengthy VAR review for a possible offside during the build-up against Ko Itakura. Xabi Alonso responded by introducing summer signing Martin Terrier, who tested Omlin’s reflexes with his first significant touch. Boniface put a Grimaldo cross wide and Jonathan Tah headed straight at Omlin, before Gladbach got back on level terms. A pass from Kevin Stöger discovered his summer compatriot Kleindienst, who slid in front of his marker to lie to Hrádecký. Grimaldo and Tomáš Čvančara fired in a dramatic finish, with Wirtz saving a penalty in the 101st minute before firing in the follow-up after a VAR ruling against Itakura.
See: Granit Xhaka on Bayer’s DNA that says
Gladbach: Omlin (c) – Scally, Itakura, Elvedi, Netz (Chiarodia 90′ 5) – Reitz (Sander 71′), Weigl – Honorat (Lainer 90′ 6), Stöger, Pléa (Čvančara 71′) – Kleindienst (Ngoumou 90′ 6)Unused substitutes: Nicolas, Friedrich, Neuhaus, HackOut: Borges Sanches (knee), Olschowsky (knee)Coach: Gerardo Seoane
Leverkusen: Hrádecký (c) – Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapié – Frimpong, Belocian, Schick, TellaOut: Palacios (knee)Coach: Xabi Alonso
Catch up on all the goals and main moments from the first weekend of the Bundesliga here!
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