- Encounters yet another instance of late-hour, questionable liver-related chaos.
Leverkusen salvages victory with last-gasp goal, keeping their unbeaten streak alive. National team star Florian Wirtz bagged the winner in extra time (90.+11) against Borussia Mönchengladbach, securing a 3-2 (2-0) triumph. Coach Xabi Alonso's squad is undefeatable in the Bundesliga. Wirtz capitalized on a rebound from his missed penalty attempt against Gladbach keeper Jonas Omlin.
Granit Xhaka (12.) and Wirtz (38.) put Leverkusen in a comfortable 2-0 lead initially. However, Nico Elvedi (59.) and Tim Kleindienst (85.) levels the scoreline, making it seem that the double champions wouldn't take home the win. But just like they did often last season, Leverkusen managed to score a crucial goal in the closing stages, in front of 54,042 spectators.
Leverkusen is now unbeaten in 35 Bundesliga games and 42 in all domestic competitions. The setback came as a blow to Gladbach, who started the new season with high spirits. The match was halted temporarily after the break due to some smoke bombs.
Alonso sticks to his champion lineup
Xabi Alonso had emphasized that the past was in the past on Thursday. On matchday, he fielded his champion lineup without any new additions, including Lukas Hradecky and former Gladbach players, Granit Xhaka and Jonas Hofmann. Jonathan Tah was the defensive leader, with his move to Bayern Munich still uncertain. The three new signings, Martin Terrier, Aleix Garcia, and Jeanuel Belocian, remained on the bench.
Gladbach, who welcomed the season opener with a white march from the city center to the stadium, as they did two years ago, left out midfielder Manu Kone, who may still leave during this transfer window. Gladbach coach Gerardo Seoane, Alonso's predecessor at Leverkusen, started two new players, Kevin Stoeger and Tim Kleindienst.
Xhaka marks his dream goal with modesty
The match started with intensity, with Borussia showing their mature play and dominating. Xhaka's early goal was somewhat lucky, as he scored a direct shot into the top corner from just outside the box. The 31-year-old, who spent four years at Borussia, marked his dream goal modestly. Six minutes later, Gladbach's goal shook as Victor Boniface hit the crossbar during a counterattack.
The home team gained more confidence and had their first good chance through Kleindienst. However, Leverkusen scored again through a left-footed strike from Wirtz into the bottom corner. A Kleindienst's goal was later disallowed following a video review.
Gladbach fought back with Elvedi's goal, making the game more thrilling. Kleindienst then scored again, setting up a tense finale with extra time and a joyous end for Leverkusen.
After announcing his commitment to his current lineup, coach Xabi Alonso included Granit Xhaka in the starting eleven. Despite scoring his dream goal with modest celebration, Leverkusen faced a challenging second half as Borussia Mönchengladbach leveled the scoreline.
