Wirtz also works magic against Gladbach

Wrapped up, Florian Wirtz celebrated the home win in front of the Leverkusen fan curve, to which the football artist had previously made a significant contribution. The 21-year-old contributed two goals and an assist to the 3-1 (1-0) win in the Rhineland duel against Borussia Mönchengladbach.

“I actually really enjoy playing against Gladbach because they are his team and they like to play,” Wirtz said on Sky after the game. This would create more space for him. “I’m definitely happy with the scorer points. Fits.” Goalgetter Patrik Schick (74th) added one more to Wirtz’s goals (32nd minute/62nd, hand penalty). Tim Kleindienst (90+1) scored Gladbach’s consolation goal.

Weigl about Wirtz: “He’s playing a top game again today”

There was also a lot of praise from the opponent. “We don’t need to talk about his qualities,” said Gladbach captain Julian Weigl. “He’s playing a great game again today. We didn’t manage to take him out.”

Regarding the handball penalty he caused before Wirtz’s 0:2, Weigl said: “I turn away, I don’t see the ball, it’s a short distance.” The handball wasn’t intentional, but it was a justifiable decision in the end.

The double winner also won the eleventh competitive game in a row and remains four points behind the record champions and Bundesliga table leaders Bayern Munich. However, three days before the Champions League away game at Atlético Madrid, Martin Terrier was injured. The offensive player got stuck in the grass without any outside influence and had to be replaced by Piero Hincapie in the eighth minute.

For the Gladbachers, a very bitter English week comes to an end with their third defeat in a row. The last time Borussia suffered three defeats at the start of a calendar year was eleven years ago. With 24 points, former Bayer coach Gerardo Seoane’s team remains in midfield. The return of Tim Kleindienst, who had previously been ill, only paid off in stoppage time. Previously, the national player, like the entire visiting team, had had no luck.

Small service return without effect

Leverkusen struggled for a long time against Borussia, who defended compactly. A lost duel by Philipp Sander, who was again extremely unfortunate, initiated a switching attack in which Wirtz fooled Gladbach’s defender Ko Itakura as if he were air. “A trick without meaning is something for YouTube,” joked Xabi Alonso on the Sky microphone after the final whistle, praising his star’s action. The national player then deliberately scored.

The game remained exciting until well into the second half because the dominant Werkself invested little and lacked pace. Only a penalty decided the game. Alejandro Grimaldo shot the ball into Julian Weigl’s arm from point-blank range. Referee Harm Osmers awarded a penalty, which Wirtz converted. Weigl thus caused two penalties against his team within a week. Twelve minutes later, goal scorer Schick finally put the lid on the game thanks to work from Wirtz.

Gladbach disappointed

Nico Elvedi played his 272nd Bundesliga game with Gladbach and, together with his Swiss compatriot Yann Sommer, is now Borussia’s foreign player with the most league appearances.

Four days after the 5-1 defeat in Wolfsburg, Borussia played their next disappointing away game without any courage. In this state, the Seoane team is unlikely to have anything to do with the hoped-for return to Europe.