Gladbach's hopes and dreams for this season now rest on the capable shoulders of Tim Kleindienst

The towering target man should add an extra dimension to Gladbach's attack, as they look to bounce back from years of uncertainty and disappointment.

Borussia Mönchengladbach had been waiting, patiently to sign new striker Tim Kleindienst for 12 months and in the 85th minute of their opening-day clash with Bayer Leverkusen it suddenly all felt like it had been worthwhile. With the hosts back in the game thanks to a 59th goal from Nico Elvedi after the Foals had gone 2-0 down in the first half, new signing Kevin Stöger picked up the ball on the edge of the opposing box and assessed his options. At the far post were three players waiting for a cross, while just to his left was the young and ambitious Tomas Cvancara screaming for a lay-off to fire the ball into the top corner. But amongst the chaos in the box stood Kleindienst just a few yards off the goal line and, crucially, he was keeping Edmond Tapsoba at bay. Stöger, never one to overlook a potential assist, happily obliged and passed the ball through a web of defenders, allowing his towering team mate to swing a leg at the ball and fire it into the back of the net. 

It was, unquestionably, one of the most surprising moments of the weekend. Not only were Gladbach level with the club that had just gone unbeaten last season, but they’d done so through the very simple and abrupt tactics of getting the ball to the big man in the box. Xabi Alonso’s team did eventually do what they always seem to do by scoring a late winner just before the final whistle, but while fans of the club may have been disappointed at full time, hope was surely restored in the team’s overall performance and the potential of their new No.9.