Florian Wirtz helped Bayer Leverkusen keep pace with Bayern Munich at the top of the table as his side defeated Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-1 at the BayArena.

Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 Borussia Mönchengladbach
Goals: 1-0 Wirtz 32' (assist: Xhaka), 2-0 Wirtz 62' (pen.), 3-0 Schick 74' (assist: Wirtz), 3-1 Kleindienst 90'+1 (assist: Netz)

Leverkusen entered the match against Mönchengladbach looking to continue their impressive form which had seen them win their previous 10 matches in all competitions. They started strongly, too, but faced an early setback when Martin Terrier was forced off with an injury in the 8th minute, replaced by Piero Hincapié. Despite this unexpected change, Leverkusen maintained their attacking intent, while Gladbach, hoping to bounce back from successive defeats to start 2025, struggled to gain a foothold in the game.

Florian Wirtz prepares to take the penalty that doubled Leverkusen's lead - Pau Barrena

As the first half progressed, Leverkusen's control of the game became more evident. Their patience paid off shortly after the half-hour mark when Wirtz showcased his exceptional skill. The young midfielder received a diagonal pass from Granit Xhaka, cleverly nutmegged Kō Itakura, and calmly slotted the ball past Gladbach goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas. This moment of brilliance gave Leverkusen a well-deserved 1-0 lead at half-time, reflecting their superiority in possession and chance creation.

Bayer Leverkusen players celebrate after Patrik Schick's goal, which sealed their victory - INA FASSBENDER

About the players

10

Florian Richard

Wirtz

Bayer 04 Leverkusen

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The second half saw Leverkusen continue their dominance. Their pressure paid off with around an hour on the clock when they were awarded a penalty after Julian Weigl handled the ball in the box. Wirtz stepped up and confidently converted the spot-kick, doubling Leverkusen's lead, and the hosts' attacking prowess was further demonstrated in the when Patrik Schick added a third goal. The Czech striker finished off a well-crafted team move, effectively sealing the victory for Leverkusen.

Florian Wirtz of Leverkusen dribbles past Julian Weigl of Gladbach, showcasing his skill on the ball - INA FASSBENDER

Despite the comfortable lead, Leverkusen's defence was breached in stoppage time as Tim Kleindienst managed to score a consolation goal for Gladbach, but it was too little, too late for the visitors. The goal did little to mask Gladbach's struggles throughout the match, as they found it difficult to create meaningful chances against a well-organized Leverkusen side. 

The BayArena under the lights, where Bayer Leverkusen secured another impressive victory - Pau Barrena

Player of the Match: Florian Wirtz

Wirtz was undoubtedly the standout performer of the match. The young German midfielder's influence was felt throughout the game, from his spectacular opening goal to his composed penalty conversion. Wirtz's ability to create chances, maintain possession under pressure, and drive Leverkusen's attacks forward was crucial to their dominant performance. His two goals brought his tally to nine for the season, further cementing his status as one of the Bundesliga's brightest talents. Wirtz's performance not only secured the victory for Leverkusen but also highlighted his importance in their title challenge.

Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Leverkusen 1.85 - Gladbach 0.57
Fastest player: Tomáš Čvančara (BMG), 33.95 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-0 by Florian Wirtz (B04), 28.5 percent
Most pressed player: Florian Wirtz (B04), 32 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Jonathan Tah (B04), +3.11

Fantasy Heroes: Florian Wirtz (Bayer 04 Leverkusen, 450 Points), Granit Xhaka (Bayer 04 Leverkusen, 264 Points), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer 04 Leverkusen, 250 Points)

About the clubs

Bayer 04 Leverkusen

BayArena

Borussia Mönchengladbach

BORUSSIA-PARK