Bundesliga Half Time: Xhaka’s stunner, Wirtz scores, Klein-Ditestu’s goal disallowed, Leverkusen – Mönchengladbach

Key Events

In the 12th minute, Elvedi made a back-pass error, Frimpong intercepted and crossed from the right flank which was cleared, Xhaka fired a volley from over 25 meters out, a stunning strike that went straight to the corner, breaking the deadlock for Leverkusen, 1-0!

In the 38th minute, Frimpong crossed from the bottom of the right flank with an inverted triangle pass, Grimaldo’s follow-up shot was blocked, Wirtz scored on the rebound, Leverkusen extended their lead, 2-0!

Match Report

At 2:30 AM on August 24, the first round of the 24/25 Bundesliga season saw defending champions Leverkusen travel to BORUSSIA-PARK to face Mönchengladbach.

In the 4th minute of the first half, Weigl’s long-range shot from outside the box went wide, the referee indicated that Scally had collided with Sinka-Pfeifer first.

In the 11th minute, Wirtz delivered a 45-degree cross from the right, Omlin came out and punched the ball far away, making a key clearance.

In the 17th minute, Bonifaz took the ball from the left, cut inside and shot powerfully, it was deflected once but his follow-up shot was denied by the crossbar, Leverkusen narrowly missed extending their lead.

In the 23rd minute, Tapsoba brought the ball forward into the frontcourt, shooting from just outside the box again with a brilliant long-range effort, unfortunately hitting the post, Mönchengladbach escaped another close call.

In the 34th minute, Netz quickly took a free-kick, Honoralat cut inside from the left and shot powerfully, which was blocked by Jonathan Tah.

Immediately afterwards, Plea intercepted the second ball and passed it, Stoger crossed from the left side of the penalty area, Hradecky made a diving save.

In the 36th minute, Klein-Ditestu received a long pass, shrugged off Sinka-Pfeifer, turned and shot, the ball was deflected slightly and went wide of the right post.

In the 42nd minute, Mönchengladbach’s set-piece attack, Elvedi headed the ball back, Reetz turned and shot, the ball was saved not far away, Klein-Ditestu scored in the ensuing melee, however, VAR ruled that Klein-Ditestu fouled Sinka-Pfeifer first, the goal was disallowed.

At halftime, Leverkusen led Mönchengladbach 2-0 temporarily.

Player List

Mönchengladbach starting lineup (4-2-3-1):

1-Omlin; 30-Elvedi; 3-Kashima; 29-Scally; 20-Netz; 7-Stoger; 14-Plea; 8-Weigl; 9-Honorat; 27-Reetz; 11-Klein-Ditestu;

Substitutes: 33-Nicolas; 22-Lainer; 5-Friedrich; 2-Kiarotia; 10-Noeh; 25-Hack; 16-Sander; 19-Engomo; 31-Chevanchala;

Leverkusen starting lineup (3-4-2-1):

1-Hradecky; 4-Jonathan Tah; 12-Tapsoba; 3-Sinka-Pfeifer; 34-Xhaka; 7-Hoffmann; 8-Andrich; 20-Grimaldo; 30-Frimpong; 10-Wirtz; 22-Bonifaz;

Substitutes: 17-Koval; 6-Kessono; 44-Beloussian; 13-Arthur; 24-Garcia; 19-Terra; 14-Hick; 11-Trie; 21-Adli;