Bayer Leverkusen – Borussia Mönchengladbach: Progress Down Channels Trump Gladbach Transitions (4-3)

In a game of hectic attacks, organized transitions and questionable defending, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Mönchengladbach provided vintage Bundesliga action. Although the hosts outplayed their North-Rhine counterparts, it was Gladbach that would be made to rue missed opportunities, created on the counterattack. 

Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker.

Back in May, both Leverkusen and Gladbach competed head-to-head in a pivotal fixture for the Champions League spots. Although we are in the early days of the new season, it appears that both clubs will be battling it out once again.

So far, Leverkusen have taken a very different approach in comparison to the end of last season. Peter Bosz has put the 3-4-2-1 formation aside and bounced between the 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 systems since the start of the season. Leverkusen may dominate the ball, but this is due to their strong U-shape circulation and not by consistently feeding their offensive players. As a result, this has given a blow to their attacking numbers – just 7.2 expected goals in five games, although this has slightly improved thanks to wins against SC Freiburg and Augsburg.

Gladbach went into this fixture on the back of a very good week for Marco Rose’s team. They inflicted a very sore defeat to RasenBallsport Leipzig, even . . .