Leverkusen move into the top four after victory at Borussia Park

Kai Havertz’s brace inspired Bayer Leverkusen to a 3-1 victory against Borussia Mönchengladbach. In what was a significant game in the battle for a Champions League place.

This was Mönchengladbach’s first home game since the supsension of the Bundesliga season. To mark their first home game with their supporters they placed cardboard cutouts of their fans around Borussia Park.

But even their cardboard fanbase wouldn’t have been pleased with the start to the game. Leverkusen came out of the blocks in the first ten minutes, Karem Demiraby danced through the home side’s defence but Yann Sommer was there to keep him out.

Moments later Leverkusen were infront. Karim Bellarabi played in Havertz who’s shot rolled past Sommer into the corner of the net.

It got worse for Die Fohlen just three minutes after going behind, Breel Embolo picked up an injury which forced him off.

Leverkusen were near enough in total control in the first 40 minutes, but they were almost caught out Lukas Hradecky thumbled Florian Neuhaus’ shot which fell to Remy Bensebiani, however that was kept out.

The visitors could have doubled their lead just before the interval. They once again broke through Mönchengladbach’s back four which put Kai Havertz in on goal but, he hit the underside of the bar.

Demirbay was there for the follow up and had an open goal but, Nico Elvedi blocked his shot off the line. It was almost identical to that of last weekend at Frankfurt when Bensebiani had an open goal.

It was a huge moment in the match as Mönchengladbach came in the second half with some newly found belief. In the 52nd minute, Alessanne Plea’s ball over the top of the Leverkusen back four found Marcus Thuram, who found the net and equalised.

Then came a frantic five minutes with massive decisions at both ends of the pitch. Thuram who was in goal was brought down in the area and felt he should have had a penalty.

But where Thuram was denied a spotkick, Leverkusen was given one. VAR had confirmed that Bellarabi was fouled by Elvedi in the area. The Swiss centre-half had gone from hero to zero.

Havertz stepped up and although Sommer got a hand to the ball, he converted to put Bayer back infront.

They almost sealed the deal with 25 minutes left, Moussa Diaby was unable to put away his chance after his impressive solo run. Demiraby was there for the rebound, but blazed it over the bar.

With nine minutes left Leverkusen sealed the deal. A ball from a corner fell to Sven Bender’s who planted his header into the net from close range.

That win leapfrogs Leverkusen into third place. Marco Rose’s side could drop out if Leipzig win at Mainz tomorrow.