Bundesliga Kick-Off: Can Gladbach Halt Leverkusen's Invincibles?
The new Bundesliga season kicks off on Friday with a tantalising clash at Borussia-Park, as Bayer Leverkusen, fresh off their German Super Cup triumph, travel to face Borussia Monchengladbach. The hosts, languishing in 14th last season, will be aiming to improve on recent campaigns, while the visitors arrive brimming with confidence after their victory over Stuttgart.
A Challenging Start for Gladbach
Gladbach began their 2024-25 season with a 3-1 win against third-tier side Erzgebirge Aue in the DFB-Pokal, but the performance raised concerns for manager Gerardo Seoane. The Fohlen struggled to overcome a team from the lower leagues, highlighting their ongoing struggle to avoid the relegation battle.
Their 2023-24 campaign ended with a disappointing 14th-place finish, just one point above the relegation playoff spot. This marked the fourth consecutive season where they failed to finish higher than eighth, a far cry from their fourth-place finish in 2019-20.
Seoane's side endured a particularly poor second half of last season, collecting just 14 points from 17 games and failing to win any of their final six league matches. Their home form was also concerning, as they went winless in their last six Bundesliga games at Borussia-Park. However, their recent seven pre-season friendlies yielded positive results, with a string of victories.
Leverkusen's Invincibility Continues
Bayer Leverkusen, on the other hand, entered the new season with a resounding victory, albeit in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw against Stuttgart in the Super Cup final. The game exemplified their ability to turn around difficult situations, with Patrik Schick netting an 88th-minute equaliser to force extra time.
Xabi Alonso's side, known as the 'Invincibles' for their undefeated league title win last season, continued their remarkable run with a Super Cup triumph. This victory added to Alonso's trophy cabinet, cementing his status as the only manager in Bundesliga history to lead a team to an unbeaten title.
The impressive 2023-24 season saw Leverkusen score 89 goals and concede just 24, making them the division's best defensive team and second-best attacking force. Despite a recent dip in form, with only one win in their last five games, their away record remains strong, having won 14 of their last 17 Bundesliga matches on the road.
Team News and Potential Lineups
Gladbach will have Nico Elvedi and Robin Hack, last season's top scorer, available for selection. However, they will be without Borges Sanches and Jan Olschowsky due to knee injuries.
For Leverkusen, Martin Terrier is available despite his red card in the Super Cup, while Exequiel Palacios remains sidelined. Expect Granit Xhaka to partner Aleix Garcia in midfield, with the potential return of key players like Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo from the bench.
Possible Starting Lineups:
Borussia Monchengladbach: Omlin; Scally, Itakura, Elvedi, Netz; Reitz, Weigl; Honorat, Stoger, Hack; Kleindienst
Bayer Leverkusen: Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Xhaka, Garcia, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Adli; Boniface
Prediction
Despite Leverkusen's recent form fluctuations, their championship-winning pedigree and resilient nature make them favourites for this encounter. Gladbach's struggles last season suggest they will find it difficult to secure a result against such a formidable opponent.
Sports Mole predicts: Borussia Monchengladbach 1-3 Bayer Leverkusen
This clash promises to be an exciting curtain-raiser to the new Bundesliga season. Leverkusen's invincibility will be put to the test, while Gladbach will be looking to make a strong statement of intent in their bid to climb the table.
