Spectacular Martin Stranzl Strike Gives Borussia Mönchengladbach Hope Before Gonzalo Castro Makes it 3-1

Borussia Mönchengladbach have had the better of the chances in this second half, and a fantastic half-volley by Martin Stranzl had given the home side hope of getting a point out of this match before Gonzalo Castro scored on the break to restore the visitors’ two-goal lead. Bayer Leverkusen have had more of the possession, but have created just one decent chance, while ‘Gladbach went gone close a number of times before pulling a goal back. Both sides have been affected by injury problems; Michael Ballack has made his return for Leverkusen after several months, replacing Sidney Sam, while Michael Frontzeck took off Igor De Camargo for Karim Matmour.

‘Gladbach’s way back into the game arrived on sixty-five minutes; Roman Neustädter laid the ball off to Stranzl, who was just inside the corner of the penalty area, and the Austrian took his shot on the half-volley, sending the ball into the opposite side of the goal beyond Rene Adler. After a frantic ten minutes, Leverkusen struck back -- a penalty area scramble nearly gave ‘Gladbach the equalizer, but Bayer broke quickly down to the other end. Vidal set Castro clean through on goal, and Castro made no mistake with the great opportunity, slicing his finish past Heimeroth to give Leverkusen a two-goal lead again.