New bosses win, Leverkusen at it again - talking points from opening weekend
Vincent Kompany and Nuri Şahin came up trumps on their first matches in a Bundesliga dugout, while English youngster Jamie Gittens and Hoffenheim marksman Andrej Kramarić were the lead stars on an intriguing opening weekend to the 2024/25 season.
1) Leverkusen still leverkusening
It was said non-stop last season, but the opening match of the 2024/25 season proved it remains a fact - champions Bayer Leverkusen simply do not cease until they get a result.
Sides made of lesser stuff would struggle to react to having a two-goal lead pegged back as Nico Elvedi and Tim Kleindienst thrust Borussia Mönchengladbach back level in the second half in front of a delirious set of home fans. Step forward Florian Wirtz, who had a penalty saved in the 11th (!) minute of stoppage time but kept his head to convert coolly on the rebound and secure the latest trademark better-late-than-Neverkusen win - and first of the new campaign (or should that be second already if you count their Supercup win after Patrik Schick's 88th-minute leveller?). It was also the second-latest goal recorded in Bundesliga history.
Granit Xhaka told bundesliga.com after the match that: "This is in our DNA. It is the mentality we have to play and to believe until the last moment."
Watch: Granit Xhaka on Bayer's never-say-never DNA
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