Bayer Leverkusen secured a 3-1 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Saturday evening match of the 18th Bundesliga round, keeping the Werkself in close pursuit of Bayern, who still hold a four-point lead in second place. Mönchengladbach remains in tenth position.
The game got off to a slow start in the freezing temperatures, with Leverkusen taking some time to warm up. Florian Wirtz was the key player, scoring the first two goals, in the 32nd minute and again in the 62nd minute from the penalty spot, and also setting up Patrik Schick’s goal in the 74th minute. Mönchengladbach managed to score a consolation goal through Tim Kleindienst in the 91st minute.
Mönchengladbach’s defense held up well for a long time, and the team continued to search for openings, but Leverkusen were simply more composed and unfazed by the injury to Martin Terrier, who was substituted in the 8th minute.