Highlights

Matchday 1

FINAL

BORUSSIA-PARK

Bayer 04 Leverkusen

90' + 11'

WirtzFlorian Wirtz

KleindienstTim Kleindienst

85'

ElvediNico Elvedi

59'

38'

WirtzFlorian Wirtz

12'

XhakaGranit Xhaka

R. Schröder

BORUSSIA-PARK

0:19

Watch: Granit Xhaka reacts to another Leverkusen late show

Full-time: Gladbach 2-3 Bayer 04

Laterkusen have done it again. Deep, deep into stoppage time, Florian Wirtz slammed home on the follow up after seeing his penalty saved. Just when it seemed Gladbach had earned a point after fighting back from 2-0 down - Granit Xhaka and Wirtz on target in the first half - goals from Nico Elvedi and Tim Kleindienst were rendered null after the champions scored at the death one more time.

Full-time

90'

+ 13

Yellow card

Stefan Lainer

90'

+ 12

Wirtz wins it!

Omlin stops Wirtz's spot-kick with a brilliant save but last season's Player of the Season is there on the follow up to lash home the rebound. Unbelievable.

90'

+ 11

Florian Wirtz

GOAL!

2:3

Goal probability

Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.

91 %

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

5.14 m

90'

+ 11

Penalty missed!

Taker:

Florian Wirtz

90'

+ 10

Leverkusen penalty

A challenge from Itakura on Adli inside the area is checked upstairs and the result is a penalty for the visitors in the final minute. Scenes.

90'

+ 8

Čvančara chance

Tomáš Čvančara goes for the spectacular as the rain teems down. The ball flies narrowly off target. But wait ....

90'

+ 8

SituationNo penalty

ReviewFoul?

DecisionPenalty

90'

+ 7

Triple swap

Lainer, Chiarodia and Ngoumou are on for Borussia. The latter immediately gets a shot on target which Hrádecký holds onto.

90'

+ 6

Substitution

Nathan Ngoumou

Tim Kleindienst

90'

+ 5

Substitution

Stefan Lainer

Franck Honorat

90'

+ 5

Substitution

Fabio Chiarodia

Luca Netz

Gladbach's fightback

The Foals have shown incredible heart to bring this game level having trailed by 2-0 at the break.

90'

+ 2

Grimaldo is there

Wirtz switches a pass back across to Grimaldo, who suddenly has the goal in front of him. Bayer 04's No. 20 shoots just too high and the Borussia fans grab their heads in relief.

90'

+ 1

Time added on

We'll have 10 minutes of time added on at Borussia-Park.

90'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes

Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.

Jeremie Agyekum Frimpong34.73km/h

Franck Honorat34.62km/h

Tomáš Čvančara33.11km/h

86'

SituationGoal

ReviewOffside?

DecisionGoal

86'

New man off the mark

Kliendienst scored 12 Bundesliga goals for Heidenheim last season, he's netted his first for the Foals tonight.

85'

Gladbach are level

Amazing. A super build-up from Gladbach ends with Stöger side-footing a fabulous pass along the floor for Kleindienst, who gets down and beats Tapsoba to the ball before scissoring home a shot.

85'

Tim Kleindienst

GOAL!

2:2

Goal probability

25 %

Shot speed

Shot speed describes the maximum speed in km/h that a ball reaches in a shot on goal. The distance is measured from the location of the shot to the centre of the goal.

74.86 km/h

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

7.48 m

84'

Non-stop runners

Distance run (km)

10.6

10.2

Julian Weigl Granit Xhaka

82'

Bayer 04 changes

Xabi Alonso sends new boy Aleix García on to make his Bundesliga debut. Aminie Adli is also on. Boniface and Andrich accept handshakes from their coach.

82'

Substitution

Amine Adli

Victor Boniface

82'

Substitution

Aleix García

Robert Andrich

80'

Grimaldo territory

Sander floors Álex Grimaldo on the edge of the D and the Spaniard places the ball and eyes up the goal. His subsequent set-piece hits the wall.

76'

Elvedi stands firm

Boniface has an effort blocked by the sprawling Elvedi. The Gladbach players are throwing themselves at everything tonight.

76'

Next goal crucial

xGoals

The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).

xGoals

1.84

1.83

Goals

74'

Tah header

Jonathan Tah can't get much purchase onto Grimaldos' cross and Omlin catches that with relative ease.

72'

Sander debut

Philipp Sander is on to make his first appearance for the hosts, who also introduce Tomáš Čvančara into proceedings.

71'

Substitution

Philipp Sander

Rocco Reitz

71'

Substitution

Tomáš Čvančara

Alassane Pléa

Elvedi consistency

Nico Elvedi has scored in each of the last eight Bundesliga seasons. He scored four of his last five goals from dead-ball situations.

Boniface wide

Grimaldo brilliantly finds Boniface, who jinks one way and turns back, making Itakura slide in. The Nigerian striker pokes narrowly wide.

67'

New man hungry

Terrier is only on the pitch and the French attacker already has his first shot of the game, Omlin saving.

66'

Terrier bow

New Leverkusen signing from Rennes, Martin Terrier, is on to make his Bundesliga debut.

65'

Substitution

Martin Terrier

Jonas Hofmann

64'

Blockbuster

The efforts have been flying at goal in this game and we're all set for a grandstand finish now after that Gladbach goal.

Goal attempts

6off target

5on target

5off target

5on target

62'

Goal stands!

The stadium erupts as the referee points towards the centre circle. Itakura was just onside in the build up to Elvedi's goal.

60'

This time?

Gladbach ARE back in it this time, or are they? Honorat's ball to the back stick is headed back across goal by Itakura. Elvedi is there to head at the target and after Hrádecký brilliantly claws the ball out, Elvedi nods in at the second attempt. But there is a check for offside ...

60'

SituationGoal

ReviewOffside?

DecisionGoal

59'

Nico Elvedi

GOAL!

1:2

Goal probability

71 %

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

4.26 m

57'

Omlin save

Xhaka takes his time as he considers his passing options. The Swiss international finally slides the ball perfectly in for Frimpong, who takes a couple of touches before shooting against Omlin's shoulder.

55'

Hofmann shot

Great work from Grimaldo down the touchline as the Spaniard manages to get cross into the mixer. Hofmann doesn't quite catch his shot cleanly and Omlin can gather.

54'

Leverkusen probing

Boniface is making some dangerous runs up top while Wirtz has been testing his passing range as Leverkusen look to turn the screw in this second half.

1:07

Break in play

As we await the game to get back underway, here's a little augmented reality for your viewing pleasure.

46'

Off we go again

Leverkusen kick off the second half. Will Xabi Alonso's side stretch their lead or can Gladbach get back into it? We're about to find out.

Kick-off!

Half-time

Half-time: Gladbach 0-2 Bayer 04

The defending Bundesliga champions take a healthy lead into the break after a cracking Granit Xhaka goal and a Florian Wirtz strike. Gladbach have had a goal of their own ruled out but it's Bayer 04 who are in command.

45'

+ 2

Boniface goes close

Back up the other end and Boniface teases Itakura before smashing wide.

45'

+ 1

Ruled out

The referee goes to the touchline, checks his monitor to see that Kleindienst clipped Hincapié before scoring, and subsequently rules the goal out. The home fans are not happy.

44'

SituationGoal

ReviewFoul?

DecisionNo goal

43'

Gladbach back in it

Stöger's set-piece into the Leverkusen area isn't properly dealt with and suddenly Reitz can get a shot on the spin away. Hrádecký palms the ball forward, leading to a chase between Hincapié and Kleindienst, which the latter wins, a diving header sending the ball over the line.

1:16

Wirtz so good

Last term's Bundesliga Player of the Season is having another stand-out game here. Nothing changes.

38'

Daylight for visitors

A touch scrappy but Bayer 04 will take it all day long. Frimpong runs and runs at Elvedi before cutting the ball back. Omlin blocks Grimaldo's strike but Wirtz is there to smash in the follow up.

38'

Florian Wirtz

GOAL!

0:2

Goal probability

21 %

Shot speed

Shot speed describes the maximum speed in km/h that a ball reaches in a shot on goal. The distance is measured from the location of the shot to the centre of the goal.

89.5 km/h

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

11.38 m

37'

Nearly Kleindienst

A tidy first touch and shot to the corner from Gladbach's new signing and but for a crucial touch from Hincapié, the ball would sure have beaten Hrádecký and found the goal.

34'

Borussia time

Honorat has a shot blocked before Stöger brings a flying save from Hrádecký as Gladbach press forward in search of a leveller.

31'

Gladbach shout

Stöger goes down inside the Gladbach area following a nudge from Frimpong and the home fans roar for a penalty. The referee is not interested and on we go.

30'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes

Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.

Jeremie Agyekum Frimpong34.73km/h

Franck Honorat33.91km/h

Alejandro Grimaldo Garcia32.82km/h

Omens good for B04

Leverkusen went on to win all 28 of the Bundesliga games which they led last season.

26'

Shot count rising

What a terrific Matchday 1 encounter this has been at Borussia-Park. Champions Leverkusen are dominating but Gladbach have had their moments too and are in no way out of this contest.

Goal attempts

1off target

2on target

3off target

2on target

24'

Woodwork again!

Bayer 04 almost score a sensational second. If Xhaka's hit for 1-0 was spectacular, Tapsoba's rising drive from downtown was out of this world. The woodwork saves Gladbach for a second time in this game.

Xhaka rocket

The Swiss midfielder's opener was clocked at 129 km/h! Super hit from Xhaka to get the Bundesliga up and running.

20'

Easy for Omlin

Grimaldo chips a cross to the back stick. Tah goes up and heads straight into the hands of Omlin.

18'

Woodwork for B04

Boniface works some space for himself on the left, nudges the ball to the side and then powers a shot high at goal. His effort cannons off the upright and away to safety.

0:21

Pick them out

Granit Xhaka does not do tap-ins, as we have seen many times!

15'

Reitz effort

Gladbach go hunting at the other end and Reitz gets a shot away from close range, which Hrádecký blocks. The Gladbach attacker feels he had his shirt pulled there but nothing doing, says the ref.

13'

Xhaka cracker!

Granit Xhaka smashes home a worldie against his old club. Elvedi plays a loose pass and suddenly Frimpong is away. The Dutch attacker's centre is deflected into the path of Xhaka, who wallops one from distance. The ball smashes the back of the net and Xhaka raises his hands in non celebration. Bayer 04 are up and running.

12'

Granit Xhaka

GOAL!

0:1

Goal probability

3 %

Shot speed

Shot speed describes the maximum speed in km/h that a ball reaches in a shot on goal. The distance is measured from the location of the shot to the centre of the goal.

128.71 km/h

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

24.7 m

11'

Omlin clears

Gladbach captain Omlin races off his line and fists clear with Boniface menacing.

10'

Bayer 04 edging it

No goals as yet, but Xabi Alonso's men are just about bossing the possession stats.

Possession (%)

4852

Itakura wary

Twinkle-toed Wirtz dances forward and tries to pick out Boniface with a pass along the floor. Itakura slides in to hoof clear.

Visitors in possession

Leverkusen are pinging the ball about as they seek an opening. They almost find one with Boniface lifting a pass in for Boniface. Gladbach clear their lines.

Weigl strikes

Julian Weigl accepts the pass a fair distance outside the area before popping the ball up and volleying off target.

Peeeeep!

Gladbach kick us off as the 2024/25 season begins.

Kick-off!

Peeeeep!

Gladbach kick us off as the 2024/25 season begins.

Here come the teams!

Both sides take to the field and we're ready to go in what is a brand new Bundesliga season! Hold onto your hats.

Packed house

There's not a seat to be had at a bouncing Borussia-Park. As both teams go through their respective warm-ups, the fans serenade them with some Gladbach terrace classics.

Kramer tribute

Christoph Kramer has just received an emotional farewell from Borussia's fans down on the pitch, the defensive midfielder earlier announicng his departure from the club after 10 years and 288 games.

3:03

Title defence begins

So then, can Leverkusen pick up where they left off in a remarkable campaign that brought Xabi Alonso's men a historic league and cup double? We're soon to find out!

0:17

Testing that surface

The pitch is looking immaculate in Mönchengladbach 👌

0:31

Champions in the house

Bayer Leverkusen have touched down at Borussia-Park.

Super subs

Leverkusen's summer signings Jeanuël Belocian, Aleix García and Martin Terrier (who was sent off in the Supercup shootout win against Stuttgart) are all on the bench for the visitors while Gladbach's signing from Kiel, Philipp Sander, is among the Foals' subs this evening.

More on those teams

The defending champions go with what they know with Xabi Alonso reverting back to his tried and trusted compared to last week's starting XI in the victorious Supercup. That means five changes for Bayer 04 tonight. New Borussia signings Tim Kleindienst and Kevin Stöger are all set for their Gladbach debuts here while Nico Elvedi has shaken off a knock and starts for the hosts.

Gladbach starting XI

Omlin (c) – Scally, Itakura, Elvedi, Netz - Reitz, Weigl - Honorat, Stöger, Pléa - Kleindienst

Gladbach subs

Nicolas, Chiarodia, Friedrich, Lainer, Neuhaus, Sander, Ngoumou, Hack, Čvančara

Leverkusen starting XI

Hrádecký (c) - Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapié - Frimpong, Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo - Wirtz, Hofmann - Boniface

Leverkusen subs

Kovář, Kossounou, Arthur, Belocian, García, Terrier, Schick, Tella, Adli

0:34

Fans in full voice!

Gladbach's fans are enjoying a little choir practice outside Borussia-Park. We're in for an electric atmosphere for the big kick-off in Mönchengladbach if this is anything to go by.

1:45

Almost there ...

As we await the announcement of tonight's teams, allow 442oons to get you in the mood for a brand-new Bundesliga season!

Alonso: "It's special"

"It's special to play an opening game. The stadium in Mönchengladbach is big, the atmosphere is special – also thanks to our many fans there. It will be a different game [compared to last season's goalless draw]. They have signed new players like Tim Kleindienst, especially on the offensive. It will be a different game than at the beginning of the year."

Alonso looks ahead to 24/25 campaign

“Like all teams, we are starting from scratch. The successes from last year are of no use to us for the new season. You have to earn the points again and work hard for them. For me, FC Bayern is once again the favorite this year. Our clear goal is the top four. What’s important for us now is to get a good start to the season anyway. And I have a good feeling about that."

Seoane's view ahead of Leverkusen

"They’re a great team with a lot of quality, individually and overall as a team. They have a very settled squad and none of the players who played a key role last season have left yet. For us, it’s a case of showing the necessary attributes on the pitch, the necessary tactical discipline as well as being brave on the ball ourselves and causing problems for the opponents."

Probable line-ups

Who’s set to play this weekend? Who’s going to miss out? Keep up to date with all the latest team news right here!

1:11

Watch: Champions relish hunted role

Granit Xhaka, Robert Andrich, Victor Boniface and Jonas Hofmann look ahead to the new season with champions Bayer Leverkusen.

Gladbach's incomings

Gladbach have acted fast to recover from a disappointing season, adding 12-goal striker Kleindienst from Heidenheim and the always impressive Kevin Stöger from Bochum.

New faces for Bayer

Leverkusen managed to hold onto all of their big guns, and added three more, one in each outfield position. Jeanuël Belocian and Martin Terrier arrived from Rennes while Aleix García has come into midfield from Girona and instantly impressed.

3:37

Watch: Christoph Kramer bids Gladbach an emotional farewell

Christoph Kramer - once of Bayer Leverkusen - is leaving Borussia Mönchengladbach after a decade of service, announcing the news in a tearful video on social media.

Opening successes!

Both Leverkusen and Gladbach won their competitive season openers. The champions took down Stuttgart in the Supercup on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw, while Gladbach progressed to the second round of the DFB Cup by coming from behind to beat 3. Liga side Erzgebirge Aue 3-1.

The story of pre-season

Leverkusen's pre-season wasn't exactly befitting of the champions, with a win, two draws, and 4-1 defeat to Arsenal. However, they quickly showed that friendlies don't mean much by opening their season with a Supercup win over Stuttgart. Gladbach, meanwhile, won all seven of their training games, including a double against Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg.

Tale of the tape

Bayer 04 are unbeaten in nine Bundesliga games against Gladbach (seven wins, two draws) and have won on their last five visits to Borussia-Park.

2:03

Boniface beginnings

Leverkusen's deadly striker scored his first Bundesliga goals when the Werkself defeated Gladbach 3-0 at Borussia-Park last year.

Familiar face

Leverkusen's midfield general Granit Xhaka made 140 appearances for Gladbach between 2012 and 2016 - 108 of those games coming in the Bundesliga.

4:03

Borussia capable

Leverkusen found the net in 33 of their 34 Bundesliga games last season. The only time Bayer 04 failed to score in the top flight? Yep, you've guessed it, it was against Borussia Mönchengladbach last January.

4:31

Werkself in focus

As we push towards the opening game of the Bundesliga season, what better time to take a closer look at what makes defending champions Bayer 04 tick.

Home fortress

The Foals are nine games undefeated at Borussia-Park on Matchday 1. The last time Gladbach suffered a loss at home on opening day was against Stuttgart back in 2008.

Beware unbeaten Bayer

Gladbach are facing a Leverkusen team that are now unbeaten in 41 games against German opponents across three competitions: Bundesliga, DFB Cup and Supercup.

Fortune favours holders

We've had an official Bundesliga season opening game since 2002 and in that time, the reigning champions have never lost, with the division title holders enjoying 17 wins and five draws.

4:16

Supercup champs

Last season's double winners have picked up where they left off last term with the capturing of the Supercup. Bayer 04 saw off the challenge of the Bundesliga runners-up in 2023/24, Stuttgart, in last weekend's showpiece.

0:30

Hello and welcome!

Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of the opening fixture of 2024/25 between Borussia Mönchengladbach and defending champions Bayer Leverkusen.