Bayer Leverkusen kicked off their Bundesliga title defense with a dramatic and controversial 3-2 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach. The match, held at Borussia-Park, was marked by intense action, fan disruptions, and a decisive 101st-minute penalty that secured Leverkusen’s first three points of the new season. Despite Leverkusen’s early dominance, Monchengladbach mounted a spirited comeback, only to be undone by a contentious VAR decision in the dying moments of the game.
Leverkusen entered the match as the reigning Bundesliga champions, eager to start their title defense on a high note. They wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Granit Xhaka, a former Monchengladbach player, opening the scoring in just a few minutes. Xhaka’s goal was a moment of brilliance, as he capitalized on a defensive error by Nico Elvedi, taking a shot from 20 meters out that left the goalkeeper with no chance. Despite his respectful gesture of apologizing to the home fans, the score stood at 1-0, and Leverkusen looked firmly in control.
The early stages of the game saw Leverkusen’s attacking prowess on full display. Xabi Alonso’s men continued to press forward, hitting the post twice through Edmond Tapsoba and Victor Boniface. Monchengladbach, however, was not without their chances. The home side managed to create opportunities through Kleindienst and Franck Honorat, but they failed to convert, leaving Leverkusen to punish them further.
Wirtz Doubles Leverkusen’s Lead
As the first half progressed, Leverkusen’s pressure paid off once more. In the 38th minute, Florian Wirtz extended the lead for the visitors, capitalizing on some poor defending by Monchengladbach. Wirtz, who was instrumental in Leverkusen’s title run last season, found the back of the net with a close-range effort, making it 2-0. The goal seemed to deflate the home side, who were struggling to keep pace with Leverkusen’s high-intensity play.
Monchengladbach thought they had pulled one back before halftime, but their celebrations were cut short by VAR, which ruled out their goal for offside. The decision added to the frustration of the home fans, who had already seen their team struggle to contain Leverkusen’s relentless attacks.
The second half saw a rejuvenated Monchengladbach side take the field. The home team came out with renewed energy and intent, determined to claw their way back into the match. In the 59th minute, their persistence paid off. Nico Elvedi, who had earlier been at fault for losing possession that led to Leverkusen’s opening goal, redeemed himself by scoring from a well-executed set piece. The goal was initially subject to VAR review, but this time, the decision went in Monchengladbach’s favor, and the score was reduced to 2-1.
Buoyed by the goal, Monchengladbach continued to press forward, and their efforts were rewarded again in the 75th minute. Tim Kleindienst, the new striker signed in the summer, scored his first Bundesliga goal for the club, leveling the match at 2-2. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the home fans, who began to believe that their team could snatch an unlikely draw or even a victory.
However, the match took a chaotic turn in the final minutes. Fan disruptions, including pyro displays, caused a significant delay, extending the match by an additional 10 minutes. The disruption seemed to unsettle both teams, but it set the stage for a dramatic finale.
In the 101st minute, Leverkusen launched one final attack. Monchengladbach’s Itakura made a challenge inside the penalty area, and VAR was called into action. After reviewing the incident, the referee controversially awarded a penalty to Leverkusen, despite Itakura appearing to make contact with the ball first. The decision was met with outrage from the home fans and players alike, but the referee stood by his call.
Florian Wirtz stepped up to take the penalty, but his initial shot was saved by Monchengladbach’s goalkeeper, Omlin. However, Wirtz was quick to react, pouncing on the rebound to score and secure a dramatic 3-2 victory for Leverkusen. The goal capped off a thrilling and contentious match, leaving Monchengladbach devastated and Leverkusen relieved to have escaped with all three points.
Leverkusen’s victory, while exhilarating for their fans, was also tinged with controversy. The manner in which they secured the win, through a late and disputed penalty, is likely to be a talking point for some time. Nevertheless, the champions demonstrated their resilience and determination to start the season with a win, even when the odds seemed against them.
Xabi Alonso’s men were the better side for large parts of the game, but they will need to address some defensive lapses that allowed Monchengladbach to get back into the match. The team’s ability to create chances and control the game was evident, but the narrow victory also highlighted areas for improvement as they seek to defend their Bundesliga title.
For Bayer Leverkusen, this victory sets the tone for what they hope will be another successful season. However, the team must be wary of relying too much on late-game heroics and ensure that they can maintain control throughout the 90 minutes. The win puts them in a strong position as they look ahead to their next fixtures, but the pressure will be on to continue delivering results.
Monchengladbach, on the other hand, will take some positives from their performance, particularly their fighting spirit in the second half. Despite the loss, they showed that they could compete with the best teams in the league. However, they will need to work on their defensive organization and finishing if they are to improve on last season’s results.
Bayer Leverkusen’s 3-2 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach on the opening day of the Bundesliga season was a match filled with drama, controversy, and excitement. The champions showed their quality and resilience, but the manner of their victory will likely be debated in the days to come. For Monchengladbach, the match was a bittersweet experience, as they came close to earning a point but were ultimately undone by a late and contentious penalty decision. As the Bundesliga season progresses, both teams will look to build on this opening match, with Leverkusen aiming to defend their title and Monchengladbach hoping to climb the table. Fans can expect more thrilling encounters in what promises to be another exciting season of German football.
