On Friday evening, Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen kicked off the 2024–25 Bundesliga campaign at Borussia-Park.
With Die Werkself looking to retain their Bundesliga title as well as maintain their unbeaten run, it would be fair to say the eyes of the football world were on them—they failed to disappoint.
Just before the quarter-of-an-hour mark, Granit Xhaka reminded those watching exactly what he is capable of with a ball at his feet.
Jeremie Frimpong’s deflected cross fell to the Swiss international, who, on the half-volley from around 30 yards, rifled a devastating effort into the top right corner of Jonas Omlin’s net, potentially scoring the goal of the season on matchday one.
A second Leverkusen goal would come soon after, with Florian Wirtz eventually finishing off an attack that resembled a game of pinball.
Nonetheless, Die Werkself would soon be counting their lucky stars, as one of Gladbach’s occasional forrays forward had appeared to end in an equaliser, but for VAR to intervene due to a foul committed by Tim Kleindienst.
After the interval, Gladbach’s continued search of finding a route back into the tie was finally rewarded after Nico Elvedi headed home, despite VAR’s best attempts to frustrate the home fans further.
With Gerardo Seoane’s side on the ascendancy, they shocked the German champions by finding an equaliser through Kleindienst.
Alas, in typical Leverkusen fashion, they found a winner in the dying embers of the game, as Wirtz scored the rebound of his saved penalty, allowing Alonso’s side to walk away with all three points.
A feeling of frustration for Gladbach, who can hold their heads high after a positive performance, as they will look to climb their way back up the Bundesliga table, but the night belonged to Leverkusen, who started their title defence with a victory.
Will Bayer Leverkusen go unbeaten yet again?
Over the summer, Leverkusen have been able to keep hold of their most prized assets, whether that be Jonathan Tah, Flroian Wirtz, or Xabi Alonso.
With the core of the title-winning squad still firmly together, the new signings arriving at the club will only make Alonso’s side stronger and more determined to repeat last season’s achievements.
Against Gladbach, they did look considerably vulnerable at the back, especially from set pieces, allowing Die Foheln back into the game, a trait that has not been associated with the Werkself for the past twelve months.
However, when in possession, Leverkusen were reminiscent of last season—cool, calm, and patient, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Scoring at the most opportune times to stifle any Gladbach surges, it was, as they say, a typical champion performance, and by failing to panic and force their way to a winning goal, it naturally arrived.
Many will say it is luck, but it happens on a far too regular and consistent basis at this point, and it is why Leverkusen have become so hard to beat and why they may not be beaten domestically yet again.
If they can avoid any serious injuries to any of their key players, such as Wirtz, Xhaka, and Tah, then they will always have the quality to win games and create clinical moments.
While they will face tougher and more challenging opposition, Die Werkself proved that they still have the hunger and determination to go again, and just like last season, it is hard to imagine them actually falling to defeat.
GGFN | Will Shopland
