New season, same old last-minute magic from Leverkusen

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New season, same old last-minute magic from Leverkusen

Champions Bayer Leverkusen have again demonstrated their famed brinkmanship at the start of the new Bundesliga season, striking late for a 3-2 win at Borussia Monchengladbach.

Last season, Leverkusen impressed as they scored several late and decisive goals on the way to their maiden league title and an unbeaten term.

Now it seems like their last-minute magic is back for the 2024-25 season.

The title holders gave up a 2-0 lead as Gladbach fought back for a 2-2 draw, but Leverkusen were awarded a penalty in the 10th minute of added time.

Florian Wirtz initially had his spot-kick saved by Jonas Omlin, but he was on the follow up to lash home the rebound.

“I’m happy, simply wanted to decide the game. We were lucky in the end, but I won’t complain,” Wirtz told broadcasters DAZN.

“We know how we want to perform and everyone wants to win and play good football. It’s fun and we try to keep it going.”

Wirtz had already scored Leverkusen’s second in the 38th, increasing the lead for the visitors after Granit Xhaka’s opener in the 12th.

Gladbach had Tim Kleindienst’s goal ruled out after video review shortly before the break, but pulled one back through Nico Elvedi in the 59th and Kleindienst’s effort counted in the 85th as the hosts thought they would keep at least one point.

But a challenge from Ko Itakura on Amine Adli inside the area was checked and resulted in a penalty – and eventually the win – for the defending champions.

“We’re happy to take the three points back to Leverkusen,” Xhaka said, while Wirtz stressed “we made our lives difficult. There are still a few things we need to work on.”

The VAR had a lot of work in the first Bundesliga match of the season. Kleindiesnt’s had his goal ruled out after the referee checked the video, while both Gladbach goals were only confirmed after a review.

It was also after checking the video referee Robert Schröder awarded Leverkusen the last-minute penalty.

“We weren’t all bad. To turn around the 2-0 was positive, but the VAR checks were irritating,” said Kleindiesnt, who moved to Gladbach from Heidenheim this summer. “Every goal, every thing had to be checked.”

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