Bayer Leverkusen gambled away the 2-2 (2-0) win over Borussia Mönchengladbach on Sunday (May 21, 2023) and thus jeopardized qualification for the European competitions. Hincapié saw the red card in the closing stages.
Amine Adli used the first good Leverkusen opportunity to take the lead, and a little later Kerem Demirbay increased it (20th minute). Somewhat surprisingly, Mönchengladbach got back into the game with a goal from Jonas Hofmann (58th). Substitute Lars Stindl equalized shortly before the end of the game (90). Leverkusen (50) is just one point ahead of VfL Wolfsburg (49) in sixth place.
whirl about colour
Hours before the game, Gladbach was the focus of football reports on Sunday, when a report from the “Rheinische Post” circulated that VfL would definitely be parting ways with coach Daniel Farke after the end of the current season. Head of sport Roland Virkus sharply denied that: “The rumors that Daniel Farke has already split are unfounded and simply false.” Nevertheless, it is to be expected that
On the field, Borussia started committed but ineffective. Bayer is different: Adli converted a pass from Hincapié after a quick start with a low left-footed shot from eight yards out. Gladbach keeper Jan Olschowsky let the ball slip under his body.
Only a short time later Jeremie Frimpong used his space on the right side in the meanwhile stormy rain at Leverkusen and crossed sharply inside, where Demirbay reacted quickly with a header to make it 2-0.
Surprising connection – and more
After the break, it didn’t look as if the guests from the Lower Rhine had brilliant ideas to get back into the game. But then Leverkusen provided help from the Rhineland: Mitchel Bakker unluckily played the ball to his goalkeeper Lukáš Hrádecký, who had difficulty controlling this half-high ball. Hofmann coaxed the ball from the keeper and shortened it to 1:2.
In the final phase, the hosts shifted down two gears too early and relied on their narrow lead. Borussia almost took advantage of this: Lars Stindl, who left Gladbach at the end of the season, had a huge chance to equalize shortly after his substitution about five minutes before the end of regular time after a mistake by Jonathan Tah, but missed the goal.
Hincapié sent off, Stindl scores
But there were two more excitements: Marcus Thuram and Stindl took advantage of a drop-out by Nadiem Amiri: Amiri wanted to play the ball back to his goalkeeper under pressure, but completely overlooked Thuram, who was waiting right in front of Hradecky. He only had to lay down for the approaching Stindl – 2:2. In the end it got turbulent again: Piero Hincapié put the playing equipment too far in front of him when dribbling, was pressed by Patrick Herrmann and then straddled Julian Weigl with an open sole – sending him off. It was the end.
Leverkusen in Bochum, Gladbach against Augsburg
Bayer 04 Leverkusen are visiting VfL Bochum on the final day of the game (Saturday, 27/05/2023 at 3:30 p.m.). Mönchengladbach welcomes FC Augsburg.