Led by exceptional talent Florian Wirtz, Bayer Leverkusen has remained steadfastly on FC Bayern’s heels in the Bundesliga title race. The double winner deservedly won 3-1 (1-0) in the western duel against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday evening and reduced the gap to the league leaders to four points with their eleventh competitive win in a row. The Munich team presented against VfL Wolfsburg (3:2) in the afternoon.
Match winner for the Werkself: Florian Wirtz (l.)
Photo: AFP/SID/INA FASSBENDER
Double packer Wirtz (32nd, 62nd/hand penalty) and striker Patrik Schick (74th) scored the victory for the Werkself, who gained momentum for the groundbreaking Champions League clash at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday and second place in the league consolidated. For Gladbach, Tim Kleindienst (90+1) scored his tenth goal of the season in stoppage time, and it was their third defeat in the third game of the new year. In eleventh place, the foals are stuck in the middle of the table.
At champions Leverkusen, defense chief Jonathan Tah, who had recovered from a cold, returned to the starting line-up, and the same applied to national player Kleindienst (gastrointestinal infection) on the other side. Bayer coach Xabi Alonso had to make changes early on; Martin Terrier grabbed his right ankle after a dangerous cross of his own (5th) and had to go down. Piero Hincapie came into the game for the Frenchman.
The hosts took control of the game in the early stages, but Gladbach were compact and initially didn’t allow anything defensively. A shot from Robert Andrich (21′) went clear to the left, Edmond Tapsoba (27′) aimed too high from a distance. Meanwhile, the Foals hardly dared to go on the offensive – and were punished by the patient Leverkusen team: After losing the ball, Granit
-And the Leverkusen team tried to follow up, a long-range shot from Nathan Tella whizzed just over the goal (40th). There was no response from the harmless Gladbachers until half time.
After the break, the guests became more active, but coach Gerardo Seoane’s team lacked a clear idea going forward. The Leverkusen team remained dangerous and countered in their own stadium: After a Gladbach corner they went forward at lightning speed, Alejandro Grimaldo failed with his shot because of the strongly reacting Moritz Nicolas (55′).
A little later, Grimaldo shot the ball to Julian Weigl’s slightly outstretched arm – and referee Harm Osmers pointed to the spot. Wirtz safely scored his ninth Bundesliga goal of the season. The Werkself then managed the lead cleverly, with Schick making the decision on an assist from Wirtz.
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