The Bundesliga returned with a bang as defending champions Bayer Leverkusen left it late to controversially beat Borussia Mönchengladbach in the opening game of the 2024/25 season.
Leverkusen showed why they are defending champions in the first half as they were clinical in front of goal despite Gladbach having better chances. However, they took the lead through a thunderous strike from Granit Xhaka after a mistake from Nico Elvedi. Leverkusen would gain some control during the first half before doubling their lead through Florian Wirtz. However, just before half-time, Gladbach had thought they had got one goal back through Tim Kleindienst as he headered the ball over the line. but the goal would be ruled out for a foul on Piero Hincapié in the process.
After a delayed start to the second half due to pyrotechnics, Gladbach would get their goal back when Nico Elvedi snatched at a rebound. Leverkusen however would continue to control the ball and the half as Die Fohlen pushed for an equaliser. Then finally, Kleindienst got his goal after throwing himself at a Kevin Stöger through ball to equalise for Gladbach in the 85th minute. However, right at the death, Amine Adli wins a penalty after a foul by Ko Itakura which is first missed by Wirtz before scoring the rebound for his second of the game and to secure Leverkusen the win.
Leverkusen will feel lucky to have gotten away with a win at Borussia Park after being second-best for much of the game, similar to last weekend’s Super Cup, but in the end, they continue their domestic unbeaten run. While Gladbach will feel hard done by with the late loss as they managed to turn the game around, which last season they would not have been capable of.
Next week, Leverkusen host RB Leipzig and Gladbach travel across the Rhein to Bochum.
Borussia Mönchengladbach XI:
Jonas Omlin (5), Joe Scally (5), Nico Elvedi (5) Ko Itakura (5), Luca Netz (5), Rocco Reitz (5), Julian Weigl (5), Franck Honorat (6), Kevin Stöger (7), Alassane Plea (5), Tim Kleindienst (7)
Others: Philipp Sander (5), Tomas Cvancara (5), Stefan Lainer (-), Fabio Chiarodia (-), Nathan Ngoumou (-)
Bayer Leverkusen XI:
Lukas Hradecky (5), Edmond Tapsoba (5), Jonathan Tah (5), Piero Hincapié (5), Jeremie Frimpong (5), Robert Andrich (5), Granit Xhaka (6), Alejandro Grimaldo (6), Jonas Hofmann (5), Florian Wirtz (6), Victor Boniface (6)
Others: Martin Terrier (), Aleix Garcia (-), Amine Adli (-)
GGFN Man of the Match: Tim Kleindienst
Kleindienst was the most proactive player in both teams and caused issues for Leverkusen’s defence throughout. Had his first goal ruled out for a foul but continued to make a nuisance of himself. He finally scored his deserved goal when combined with fellow summer signing Kevin Stöger.
If this performance from the 28-year-old is showing what things are to come for him at Borussia Park, Kleindienst can easily score 15 goals this season.
A special shout out to Stöger as well who seems to be carrying on last season’s form. The Austrian was once again not only instrumental in Gladbach’s attack but also proactive defensively. Florian Wirtz could be an option but away from his two goals, he was rather absent in the game.
GGFN | Jack Meenan
