Equaliser in 90.+2 - Gladbach with respectable win in Leverkusen

Borussia Mönchengladbach has shown a completely different face under interim coach Eugen Polanski than recently and deservedly earned a point in the 1-1 (0-0) draw against Bayer Leverkusen.

However, Gladbach had to wait until stoppage time before substitute striker Haris Tabakovic scored the decisive goal (90+2). A special goal: It was Borussia's first in their fourth league game of the season. Malik Tillman had fired Bayer Leverkusen into the lead in the 70th minute.

Gladbach celebrated the late equalizer like a victory. However, they are still waiting for one, having done so for eleven matches this season.

Leverkusen, on the other hand, narrowly missed out on their second home win under new head coach Kasper Hjulmand.

Leverkusen vs. Gladbach – this was also the clash between the only teams to have swapped coaches this season. Both Hjulmand and Polanski gave their teams a completely new look. Tillman and Aleix Garcia formed the central midfield for the completely revamped Leverkusen team. Eliesse Ben Seghir made his Bundesliga starting debut.

Gladbach also had two debutants in their starting eleven: Yannick Engelhardt and Jens Castrop. But there was no sign of stage fright: Both Engelhardt at center back and Castrop behind the strikers performed remarkably well.

In general, Eugen Polanski had apparently not only found the right eleven players, but also the right means to breathe new life into the Gladbach team, which had been unsettled after the botched start to the series.

Gladbach – with a back five instead of the four under predecessor Gerardo Seoane – played steadily, with focus, and with more courage. However, they had to survive Leverkusen's first wave of attacks. Goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas made a monster save to deny Patrik Schick's header.

Then, in the 23rd minute, Gladbach celebrated their long-awaited first goal of the season – too soon. Castrop was offside by a few centimeters. Gladbach's lead would not have been undeserved. Engelhardt, alongside Rocco Reitz, sealed Gladbach's midfield, while Castrop, in particular, flourished up front.

The hosts, on the other hand, did not really get going like they did in Hjulmand's debut against Eintracht Frankfurt (3:1).

The match remained highly intense even after the break. Neither team was able to establish an advantage. Gladbach remained evenly matched, but were too threatening in front of goal.

Leverkusen did better in the 70th minute when substitute Ernest Poku used his space on the right to cross into the middle, where Patrik Schick missed, but Tillman slotted the ball home with a direct shot.

After that, it looked as if Leverkusen would clinch their slim lead. But Tabakovic thwarted Leverkusen's plans late on. The striker headed home a corner from fellow substitute Charles Herrmann. It was fitting that evening in Leverkusen that Charles Herrmann was also making his Bundesliga debut.

Leverkusen hosts FC St. Pauli on Saturday afternoon (3:30 p.m.). Gladbach hosts Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday evening (6:30 p.m.).

• football
• Bundesliga
• Bayer Leverkusen
• Borussia Mönchengladbach