Bayer Leverkusen vs Borussia M'gladbach Match Preview
The cursed “Neverkusen” or in other words, the best side to have never won the Bundesliga takes to the pitch against Borussia Moenchengladbach. The club has made very few changes to their side. Michael Ballack, Sidney Sam and Hanno Balitsch have come into the club.
Leverkusen’s luck with injuries isn’t very good. Patrick Helmes and Simon Rolfes are both out injured. Leverkusen played a very good match on the opening day and put Dortmund to the sword. Goals from Renato Augusto and Tranquillo Barnetta were enough to see off Dortmund. However, Dortmund’s lack of fight resulted in more dominance for Leverkusen.
Leverkusen led the table for most of the previous season but fell away towards the ended and eventually finished fourth. They have returned to Europe but not to the Champions League. They are definitely one of the contenders for this season.
Gladbach, led by American defender Steve Cherundolo drew 1-1 with Nuremberg on the opening day. The result was achieved away from home. They will be without keeper Logan Bailly for this clash. They have signed Mohammadou Idrissou from Freiburg.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Borussia M'gladbach Match Report
Bayer Leverkusen 3-6 Borussia Moenchengladbach
Gladbach absolutely dominated the midfield today. The game was a great one for the neutrals as it was very open. Leverkusen coach Jupp Heynckes might have something to say to his defence though; and he might start Manuel Friedrich in the next game.
In the 20th minute, Arturo Vidal fouled Juan Arango outside the box. Expecting the referee to blow the whistle, Vidal stopped. However, Mohamadou Idrissou nicked the ball and passed it to Patrick Hermann. Hermann made no mistake and blasted the ball into the back of the net from close range.
Leverkusen equalized shortly afterwards. Gonzalo Castro sent a cross from long range into the box which Eren Derdiyok headed in for 1-1. Around the 40th minute mark, Thorben Marx fired in a shot from midfield which Rene Adler fumbled. Roel Brouwers was on hand to put the ball in from close range for 1-2.
Arango and Mohamadou Idrissou combined for the third. Idrissou passed the ball to Hermann who sent it to the back of the net. The best goal of the match was Gladbach’s fourth. A Juan Arango free kick beat Rene Adler at the far post to make the score 2-5.
Leverkusen got another goal back within minutes when Marx brought Arturo Vidal down in the box. Vidal himself took the penalty for 2-4.
A volley from Juan Arango from a Marco Reus cross was punched away by Rene Adler on the hour mark . It felt to Mohamadou Idrissou who scored for 2-5. Reus himself scored the six. He received a pass from Idrissou in midfield, entered the penalty are and blasted in a shot for 2-6.
Leverkusen got a third goal back through Stefan Kiessling when Bailly fumbled a shot from Nicolai Jorgensen. Kiessling put it in from close range. The match finished 3-6 at the Bay Arena. Gladbach deserved to win the game and will be a threat based on today’s performance this season.
