- Mastering Last-Minute Victories: "Turning the Tide Against the Opponents"
After an astonishing finale at Borussia Mönchengladbach, Leverkusen's boss Fernando Carro can't believe it as they secure a 3:2 (2:0) victory in the debut match. Their stellar performance in the additional time adds another notch to their impressive 42-match unbeaten streak across all domestic competitions.
Last season, Leverkusen showcased their extraordinary form by scoring eight times after the 90th minute in the Bundesliga, with six of these goals deciding the match. They also managed to do so five times in the Europa League. "I guess it's fortunate for us," remarked Bayer's midfielder Granit Xhaka, who spent four years at the club. "Our opponents always seem to feel uneasy, knowing how often we score late, but we can't rely on that all the time," he added.
Despite Xhaka and Florian Wirtz's first-half goals giving Bayer a comfortable 2:0 lead, the Champions League runners-up found it challenging to secure the win. "We should have put the game to bed much earlier," said Simon Rolfes, Bayer's sports director. Énergized by the fans and the new signings Tim Kleindienst and Kevin Stöger, Gladbach battled back, equalizing and controversially disputing a penalty decision in the additional time after Ko Itakura's challenge on Amine Atli.
"It really stinks," said Gladbach's new recruit Tim Kleindienst. "I just think it's frustrating. Every close call seemed to be reviewed, and every goal was subjected to almost microscopic scrutiny," said the striker, whose once-disallowed goal in the 42nd minute was saved by referee Robert Schröder after a VAR inspection.
To add salt to the wound, Gladbach's goalkeeper Jonas Omlin initially denied Wirtz's penalty kick in the 11th minute of extra time, but was powerless against the follow-up from the national player. "Actually, a good turn of events for me, but then extremely bitter," said the keeper.
Following their impressive debut match victory in the German Bundesliga, Leverkusen aims to continue their unbeaten streak in the upcoming fixtures.With the German Bundesliga in full swing, fans are eager to see how teams like Borussia Mönchengladbach will respond to Leverkusen's dominant start.
