Bayer Leverkusen looked to extend their lead at the top of the table as they hosted former Leverkusen manager Gerardo Seoane’s Borussia Mönchengladbach.
The first half was all Leverkusen. Die Werkself dominated the ball throughout the half and Gladbach struggled to win the ball back. The best chance of the first half went to Florian Wirtz when he tamely sidefooted the ball directly into goalkeeper Mortiz Nicolas despite the Gladbach goal being open.
It was the same in the second half as Leverkusen failed to break down a surprisingly good defensive Gladbach side and they ultimately came up short and unlike previous weeks could not find the late goal.
Bayer Leverkusen:
Matej Kovar – 6
Josip Stanisic – 6
Robert Andrich – 6
Piero Hincapié – 6
Jeremie Frimpong – 5 – Had several key chances that could have given Leverkusen the lead in the game but he either scuffed the shot or it ended up being on his wrong foot.
Granit Xhaka – 6
Nadim Amiri – 5
Alejandro Grimaldo – 5
Jonas Hofmann – 6
Florian Wirtz – 6
Patrik Schick – 4 – The second game in a row where Schick was rather absent in attack. The incoming of Borja Iglesias should motivate and challenge the Czech international more, but if he doesn’t it may just be the fact that he does not fit into Xabi Alonso’s system at Leverkusen as the excuse of a lack of match fitness is now out of the question.
Others: Nathan Tella (5), Adam Hlozek (-)
Borussia Mönchengladbach:
Moritz Nicolas – 7 – Made several key saves to keep Leverkusen out most notably a shot from Wirtz which had been underhit.
Joe Scally – 7
Nico Elvedi – 7 – A solid defensive performance from Gladbach’s defence as they were able to shut out a Leverkusen attack. The question will be whether they will be able to replicate this and build on it next weekend against Bayern Munich.
Marvin Friedrich – 6
Franck Honorat – 6
Manu Koné – 6
Julian Weigl – 6
Florian Neuhaus – 7 – Despite speculation about his future, Neuhaus showed that he is still a key player for Gladbach and although not usually defensively minded he was solid in the draw. The highlight of the game was his goal-stopping tackle where he was able to track down Frimpong (no easy task) before stopping the Dutch international from getting a shot on at goal.
Luca Netz – 6
Jordan – 5
Robin Hack – 5
Others: Rocco Reitz (6), Stefan Lainer (5), Christoph Kramer (5), Nathan Ngoumou (5), Shio Fukuda (5)
GGFN | Jack Meenan
