Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Borussia-Park, with an own goal denying the hosts victory after taking an early lead.
Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen shared the points in a tense Bundesliga clash at Borussia-Park on February 7, 2026. A first-half own goal from P. Sander canceled out Yannik Engelhardt’s early opener, ensuring the spoils were evenly distributed.
The hosts, Mönchengladbach, entered the match in 13th place, eager to improve their inconsistent form. Visitors Bayer Leverkusen, sitting 6th in the league, aimed to push higher up the table after a mixed run of results. Both teams sought a crucial three points.
The game sprang to life quickly, with Borussia Mönchengladbach finding the net in the 10th minute. Yannik Engelhardt slotted home his goal, giving the Foals a crucial early advantage against their higher-ranked opponents.
Leverkusen pressed for an equalizer, but the home defense stood firm. The match saw its first caution in the 27th minute when Mönchengladbach's K. Diks received a yellow card for a foul.
Just before the break, Leverkusen found their parity, albeit through an unfortunate turn of events. In the 44th minute, P. Sander inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, leveling the score at 1-1. This deflating moment sent the teams into halftime tied.
The interval arrived with the score at 1-1, reflecting an even but eventful first half. Leverkusen, despite dominating possession, had been unable to create a clear-cut goal themselves. Mönchengladbach aimed to regain their lead and capitalize on their early aggression.
The second half began with tactical changes. Leverkusen introduced L. Bade immediately after the restart, seeking fresh impetus. The match's intensity rose, leading to a flurry of yellow cards.
A heated exchange in the 68th minute saw both Mönchengladbach's K. Stoger and Leverkusen's E. Palacios booked for unsportsmanlike conduct. Substitutions continued, with Mönchengladbach bringing on H. Tabakovic and Leverkusen introducing E. Fernandez. The rhythm of the game was increasingly broken by fouls and stoppages.
As the clock ticked down, the physicality of the encounter escalated. K. Hjulmand, M. Terrier, and P. Schick all received yellow cards for Leverkusen between the 81st and 85th minutes. Despite late efforts and multiple changes from both benches, including J. Castrop for Mönchengladbach and J. Hofmann for Leverkusen, neither team could find a decisive goal.
Statistically, Leverkusen commanded 61% possession but managed only 2 shots on target from 10 attempts. Mönchengladbach, with 39% possession, was more precise, putting 6 of 9 shots on target. Expected goals (xG) were low for both (Leverkusen 0.78, Gladbach 0.6). Goalkeeper Janis Blaswich made 5 crucial saves for Leverkusen.
This 1-1 draw sees Borussia Mönchengladbach remain in 13th position in the Bundesliga table. Bayer Leverkusen holds onto 6th place, but will rue the missed opportunity to gain ground on the teams above them in their push for European qualification.
What's Next: Both teams will now look to their next fixtures to regain momentum in what remains a tightly contested Bundesliga season.
