Bayer Start Their Season With Last-Gasp Victory Against Borussia
Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen started their season with a last-gasp 3-2 victory against Borussia Monchengladbach in Friday’s Bundesliga opener, thanks to Florian Wirtz's dramatic winner in the 11th minute of stoppage time. Granit Xhaka praised the team's "pure mentality" following the remarkable finish, marking their second recent triumph after winning the German Super Cup on penalties against Stuttgart. This is prepared by SSP.
Leverkusen initially cruised with a 2-0 lead at half-time. Xhaka sparked the match with a stunning long-range strike just 13 minutes in, against his former club, while Wirtz doubled the lead at the 38th minute by following up after Alejandro Grimaldo's shot was blocked. However, Monchengladbach fought back fiercely in the rainy second half at Borussia Park, reducing the deficit through a Nico Elvedi header in the 59th minute, after his initial effort was saved by Lukas Hradecky.
Tim Kleindienst leveled the game by prodding home a Kevin Stoger pass in the 85th minute. The final stages saw a delay due to flares set off by home fans, stretching the added time significantly. In the 11th minute of stoppage-time, Ko Itakura fouled Amine Adli, earning Leverkusen a crucial penalty. Wirtz's initial attempt was blocked by Jonas Omlin, but he secured the victory by netting the rebound.
Leverkusen showed their tenacity, often noted for last-minute goals, continuing the trend from their unbeaten league campaign last season. Xabi Alonso was left speechless by the turns of the game, while Wirtz expressed appreciation for the opportunity to take the decisive penalty, despite acknowledging the element of luck involved.
The Friday match, the first season opener in Bundesliga without Bayern Munich since 2013, saw defending champions claim an important victory, ensuring they started their title defence on a strong note amidst challenging circumstances, enhanced further by comparisons to Xhaka’s similar goal in last season’s German Cup final.