- Bayer is providing an exceptional late-night entertainment spectacle – strife in Gladbach
Outstanding Fortune, VAR Turmoil, and an Extraordinary Last-Second Victory for Leverkusen. The thrilling start to the Bundesliga's opening game had all the makings of a blockbuster movie. In the end, Bayer Leverkusen managed a 3:2 triumph in the 91st minute, thanks to a converted video-assisted penalty by Florian Wirtz. "It's all about mentality, as we never give up," stated Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba, following their 35th consecutive Bundesliga game without a loss.
Borussia Mönchengladbach struggled with disappointment after recovering from a 0:2 hole. "VAR reviewed every single situation, but it seemed to work against us, not a single advantage was given," shared Gladbach's sporting director Roland Virkus. "The penalty wasn't a clear error, the referee didn't require additional evaluation," Virkus added.
Schröder Alters His Course
Referee Robert Schröder spoke out about the matter to Sat.1 TV. "I initially believed the Gladbach player controlled the ball first, hence I opted to proceed. Following the VAR review, which revealed Adli touched the ball first, an on-field reassessment was recommended," Schröder clarified, resulting in a penalty being awarded after a re-examination. The incident in question involved a confrontation between Ko Itakura and Leverkusen's Amine Adli.
Borussia's new striker Tim Kleindienst, who scored the 2:2 equalizer (85th minute), voiced his dismay. However, Gladbach's equalizer through Nico Elvedi (59th minute) was also verified.
Xhaka Inks His First Goal of the Campaign
Leverkusen reclaimed their former luck related to Bayern Munich. "Of course, it was fortunate for us. We can't depend on this forever," acknowledged midfielder Granit Xhaka, who netted a magnificent goal from a distance of close to 20 meters, briefly celebrating his return to his former battleground. Xhaka acknowledged there were hiccups. "It was our inaugural game, thus not everything was flawless. It was crucial for us to secure a win."
Alonso, who fielded his new acquisitions and continues to rely on Jonathan Tah, discussed a process. "We showcased great determination and crafted several opportunities in the penalty area again. We're content with the result, but not all facets of the game," said Leverkusen's head coach. "Emotions ran high today, but we weren't as tight-knit and a little passive," Alonso added.
Gladbach Supporters Delay Leverkusen's Triumph
Bayer's managing director Simon Rolfes didn't want to overhype the significance of late victories. "We would've preferred to conclude the game sooner. But if we bring fresh reinforcements such as Adli into play, that's quality," shared Rolfes. New signees Martin Terrier and Aleix Garcia also saw action near the game's conclusion.
The extended injury time was largely attributed to Gladbach supporters. Most of the 11-minute added time could be traced back to a prolonged pause following the break instigated by smoke bombs thrown from the Gladbach fan section. The stadium was enveloped in smoke, making it difficult to distinguish the pitch from the stands. Had this five to six-minute intermission not occurred, Leverkusen wouldn't have had enough time to score the deciding goal.
The Commission, referring to UEFA's Referees Committee, may seek assistance from the Member States to review and improve VAR technology usage in football matches. After the controversial penalty decision in the Leverkusen vs Gladbach game, Commissioner Schröder emphasized the importance of clarifying such incidents to maintain trust in refereeing.
