Werkself review #B04BMG: Qualification for Europe in own hands

SUMMARY: TWO GOALS, TWO SLIP-UPS

The Werkself were the dominant team from the start. It took exactly 15 minutes for striker Amine Adli to latch onto a diagonal ball from teammate Piero Hincapie and put it in the back of the net for the opening goal. The hosts continued to press for a second goal after the opener – with success. A cross from Jeremie Frimpong five minutes later saw Kerem Demirbay beat the Foals keeper Jan Olschowsky to the ball with his head to extend the lead. The comfortable lead was the score at half-time. After a number of missed chances, it was a misplaced pass by Mitchel Bakker to keeper Lukas Hradecky was exploited by Mönchengladbach's Jonas Hofmann to pull a goal back (58'). The game was now evenly balanced. The last-minute equaliser was scored by Lars Stindl (90'). Nadiem Amiri failed to see the Borussia striker Marcus Thuram as he attempted a back pass to Hradecky. Thuram set up the unmarked Stindl a few yards from the Werkself goal. HERE is the match report.

REACTION: "DEFINITELY MENTALLY READY AGAINST BOCHUM“

Jonathan Tah said immediately after the game: "It's a pity we gave away control above all after having a clear lead. We were no longer dominant, compact and aggressive enough in the second half."

Xabi Alonso also expressed himself clearly at the post-match press conference: "We were good in the first 20 minutes. We found space and played without complicating things. But then we made the biggest mistake and were too relaxed. You can't do that in the Bundesliga, you have to remain focussed. We eased off at the end of the first half and even more so in the second. It's down to us that we didn't win and I'm not happy." The Spaniard then said: "We are a young team with young players. If we want to be competitive at this level then we have to learn from this game. We should remember this day so that something like that doesn't happen again. We will definitely be mentally ready against Bochum. It's the last game. It's like a final for us and we will be up for it."

PERSONNEL: ADLI SCORES IN 50TH BUNDESLIGA GAME

Amine Adli played his 50th Bundesliga game against Mönchengladbach – congratulations. Less pleasing was the fifth yellow card for Kerem Demirbay, which means the midfielder will be suspended for next weekend's game against Bochum. The same applies to Piero Hincapie who will also be unavailable after being sent off.

STATS: 750TH HOME GAME IN THE BUNDESLIGA

The Werkself had 13 shots on the goal minded by Borussia keeper Olschowsky, two more than the efforts on Hradecky's goal. The Foals had the edge in possession with 53%. It was different with duels where Leverkusen had the advantage with 55%. Also interesting: Bayer 04 played their 750th home game in the Bundesliga – come on Leverkusen!

WHAT THE PAPERS : "LUDICROUS GIFTS"

A unanimous verdict from the press: The Frankfurter Rundschau called both goals "ludicrous gifts." The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger called them "bizarre errors” under the headline "Bayer punish themselves" and added: "Everything seemed to be going right for Bayer Leverkusen. Bayer led 2-0 against a harmless Gladbach side. Then Leverkusen gave away two goals and the victory. And now they are under pressure on the final matchday." The Bild sees it similarly: "Double howler" as well as the kicker, "Two errors bring Gladbach a point."

OUTLOOK: SEASON FINALE IN BOCHUM

The final match of the current season for the Werkself is on Saturday 27 May away to VfL Bochum. A win for Leverkusen would seal sixth place and qualification for Europe. For Bochum it is all about staying up. All the games kick off at 15.30 CEST.