Bayer Leverkusen won 3-2 in Mönchengladbach when Florian Wirtz made his comeback. The chase continues.
Xabi Alonso hugged Florian Wirtz, spoke to him briefly and patted him on the back of the head. The Bayer Leverkusen coach was more relieved than euphoric after the gifted man’s comeback. The Bundesliga comeback continues, but the Werkself had to tremble for the fourth win in a row, which was initially played out coldly.
“It was right for 70 minutes, really good, then something happened,” said Bayer goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky after the 3-2 (2-0) win at Borussia Mönchengladbach on DAZN: “It went well. But if it still If it had gone on for two or three minutes, it would have looked different.” As ninth in the table, Bayer is gradually targeting international positions.
Wirtz was back on the pitch for the first time in the league in the 74th minute, 315 days after his cruciate ligament tear – with a delay. “He had a bit of a cold, otherwise he would have played from the start,” said Hradecky. For the keeper, the 19-year-old is “a winter signing. He takes us to another dimension.”
When Wirtz came on, Mitchel Bakker (21′), Amine Adli (43′) and Nadiem Amiri (67′) had already scored and spoiled keeper Jonas Omlin’s debut in the Gladbacher Tor. Yann Sommer’s successor was not to blame for the goals he conceded. “I was thrown in straight away and didn’t have time to think about it,” said the Swiss, “I had imagined the game to be a little different.” Captain Lars Stindl (82′ and 90’+3′) reduced the deficit for the hosts, who are only one point ahead of the Werkself after their third home defeat of the season.
Florian Wirtz makes a comeback
In front of 53,336 spectators in Borussia Park, the guests initially tried to find stability. The back three, well organized by Edmond Tapsoba, was secure, but Argentinian world champion Exequiel Palacios and Robert Andrich cleared away in front of it. Gladbach had a lot of ball possession, but without the injured striker Marcus Thuram (knee problems) the game of the five-time German champions lacked creativity and power.
Leverkusen acted ripped off and took the first chance to lead. Jeremie Frimpong first shook off Ramy Bensebaini and served Adam Hlozek. The Czech only hit the post, but Bakker converted the rebound.
Omlin prevented another goal against Frimpong (26′), but shortly before the break Schweizer was powerless again. Adli sprinted away from Nico Elvedi from the halfway line and kept his nerve free in front of Omlin.
Leverkusen also presented themselves more alert and faster at the beginning of the second half. Hlozek was just blocked by Ko Itakura (50′).
Gladbach coach Daniel Farke reacted to the deficit with a triple substitution (56th) – shortly before that Elvedi had failed with a header at Bayer goalkeeper Hradecky, who reacted strongly. Gladbach now increased the pressure, Leverkusen had a few problems for a short time – then Joker Amiri made everything clear. In particular, the Gladbachers had nothing to counter the speed of the guests.
Wirtz was substituted on in the closing stages to the applause and cheers of the visiting fans.
Borussia Mönchengladbach – Bayer Leverkusen: The line-ups
