Leverkusen begin title defence with late win, but Gladbach impress

Bayer Leverkusen started the defence of their Bundesliga title the way they'd won it: with a Granit Xhaka screamer and late, late, late Florian Wirtz winner. But Gladbach have cause for optimism, too.

There was an ominous feeling of déjà vu at Borussia-Park on Friday night, from the moment Xabi Alonso named a completely unchanged Bayer Leverkusen starting XI right up until the 101st minute when Florian Wirtz, having seen his penalty saved, netted the winner on the rebound.