Borussia Mönchengladbach has shown a completely different face under interim coach Eugen Polanski than recently and in the Bundesliga in 1-1 (0: 0) earned a point at Bayer Leverkusen.
However, the Gladbacher had to wait until the replacement time before the substitute striker Haris Tabakovic scored the redeeming goal (90.+2 minute). A special goal: It was the first for Borussia in the fourth league game this season. Malik Tillman had taken Bayer Leverkusen in the lead in the 70th minute.
The Gladbacher celebrated the late equalizer like a victory. However, they continue to wait for such a cross -season.
On the other hand, Leverkusen scraped past the second home win under the new head coach Kasper Hjulmand. The Dane was disappointed with the result after the game towards the sports show. “We have been too hectic in the last ten minutes. Basically, the connections in the game and the team are still missing”, so Hjulmand.
Torge Hidding, Sportschau, September 21, 2025 8:09 p.m.
Interim coach Polanski was much more positive on the other side. Above all, he was happy about the way how “We acted as a team. It was extremely good for us that we still do the goal”said the 39-year-old of the sports show.
Torge Hidding, Sportschau, 21.09.2025 8:10 p.m.
One debut after the other at Bayer and Gladbach
Leverkusen against Gladbach – that was also the duel of those teams who have been the only one to have exchanged their coaches this season. And both Hjulmand and Polanski gave their teams a completely new coat of paint. Tillman and Aleix Garcia formed the double six at the completely retired Leverkusen eleven. Elise Ben Seghir gave his starting debut in the Bundesliga.
Gladbach also had two debutants on board in the first team: Yannick Engelhardt and Jens Castrop. There is no trace of stage fright: both Engelhardt on the six and Castrop behind the tips did a strikingly good thing.
Sportschau Bundesliga Highlights, September 21, 2025 7:26 pm
In general, Eugen Polanski had apparently not only found the right eleven players, but also the right means to breathe life back in the Gladbach team, which was unsettled after the messed up series start.
Goalkeeper Nicolas saves Gladbach
Gladbach – with five -time chain like under predecessor Gerardo Seoane – played stable and concentrated and with more courage. However, the first wave of attack had to be survived. Goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas put on a monster parade against Patrik Schick’s header.
Then Gladbach cheered in the 23rd minute about the desired first season goal – too early. Castrop was a few centimeters offside. The Gladbach leadership would not have been undeserved. In addition to Rocco Reitz, Engelhardt closed the Gladbach midfield again, and Castrop bloomed in the front.
Gladbach in front of the gate too harmless
The hosts, on the other hand, initially did not really get rolling like under Hjulmand’s debut against Eintracht Frankfurt (3-1).
The game remained highly intensive even after the change of sides. An overweight could not develop any of the two teams. Gladbach remained equal, but was too harmless in front of the goal.
Leverkusens Tillman dry to the lead
Leverkusen did better in the 70th minute, when the substitute Ernest Poku used his freedom on the right side, flanked in the middle, where Patrik Schick missed, but Tillman sank the ball by direct acceptance.
After that, it looked like Leverkusen would bring the thin tour home. But Tabakovic thwarted the Leverkusener late. The striker hit the head of a corner of the also substituted Charles Herrmann. It fit perfectly into the picture in Leverkusen that evening that Charles Herrmann also celebrated his Bundesliga debut.
Leverkusen against St. Pauli, Gladbach against Frankfurt
Leverkusen will be a guest at FC St. Pauli on Saturday afternoon (3:30 p.m.). Gladbach welcomes Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday evening (6.30 p.m.).