Two matches – the same scoreline but different stories. Bayer 04 Leverkusen drew 1-1 with Borussia Mönchengladbach as fourth place in the league played host to fifth-placed Foals with both goals coming in the first half. Both sides leapfrog FC Augsburg to move into third and fourth places respectively, level on 24 points. Meanwhile, VfL Wolfsburg were unable to maintain ground on league-leaders FC Bayern, as they were made to rue missed chances including a missed penalty in their 1-1 draw to SC Paderborn. The point sees SCP climb two places to tenth spot, while Wolfsburg remain in second, nine points behind the record champions.
Stalemate in Leverkusen
The BayArena welcomed Borussia Mönchengladbach in the early afternoon kick-off in the Bundesliga, with the Foals looking to build on their recent 3-2 triumph of Hertha BSC Berlin against a free-scoring Bayer 04 side of late. Leverkusen maintained that reputation early on with Hakan Calhanoglu opening the scoring with a spectacular long-range effort. The visitors upped the ante following that goal though and were duly rewarded before the interval. Dutch defender Roel Brouwers volleyed home a Thorgan Hazard corner to draw the Foals level. Brouwers went close shortly after the break too but was unable to add a second. There were few chances of note in the final 30 minutes and the teams had to settle for a share of the spoils.
Kruse in top form to deny Wolves victory
Wolfsburg were unable to make use of their dominance against new boys SC Paderborn. The Wolves made their great start pay as Portuguese midfielder Vierinha’s header across goal was diverted into his own net by SCP anchorman Rafa to condemn his side to their first ever Bundesliga own goal. It could have got worse for the visitors when referee Peter Gagelmann pointed to the spot after a clumsy challenge from Christian Strohdiek. Lukas Kruse was the hero for Paderborn though, diving low to save Ivan Perisic’s spot-kick. That missed penalty came back to haunt the hosts when they gave away a penalty of their own following a Naldo foul in the SCP box. Alban Meha converted from the spot to open his Bundesliga account. Wolfsburg pushed and pushed for a late winner but keeper Kruse proved to be the hero, salvaging a point for the guests.
Two matches – the same scoreline but different stories. Bayer 04 Leverkusen drew 1-1 with Borussia Mönchengladbach as fourth place in the league played host to fifth-placed Foals with both goals coming in the first half. Both sides leapfrog FC Augsburg to move into third and fourth places respectively, level on 24 points. Meanwhile, VfL Wolfsburg were unable to maintain ground on league-leaders FC Bayern, as they were made to rue missed chances including a missed penalty in their 1-1 draw to SC Paderborn. The point sees SCP climb two places to tenth spot, while Wolfsburg remain in second, nine points behind the record champions.
Stalemate in Leverkusen
The BayArena welcomed Borussia Mönchengladbach in the early afternoon kick-off in the Bundesliga, with the Foals looking to build on their recent 3-2 triumph of Hertha BSC Berlin against a free-scoring Bayer 04 side of late. Leverkusen maintained that reputation early on with Hakan Calhanoglu opening the scoring with a spectacular long-range effort. The visitors upped the ante following that goal though and were duly rewarded before the interval. Dutch defender Roel Brouwers volleyed home a Thorgan Hazard corner to draw the Foals level. Brouwers went close shortly after the break too but was unable to add a second. There were few chances of note in the final 30 minutes and the teams had to settle for a share of the spoils.
Kruse in top form to deny Wolves victory
Wolfsburg were unable to make use of their dominance against new boys SC Paderborn. The Wolves made their great start pay as Portuguese midfielder Vierinha’s header across goal was diverted into his own net by SCP anchorman Rafa to condemn his side to their first ever Bundesliga own goal. It could have got worse for the visitors when referee Peter Gagelmann pointed to the spot after a clumsy challenge from Christian Strohdiek. Lukas Kruse was the hero for Paderborn though, diving low to save Ivan Perisic’s spot-kick. That missed penalty came back to haunt the hosts when they gave away a penalty of their own following a Naldo foul in the SCP box. Alban Meha converted from the spot to open his Bundesliga account. Wolfsburg pushed and pushed for a late winner but keeper Kruse proved to be the hero, salvaging a point for the guests.
