Bayer Leverkusen dropped points in the Bundesliga top-four race after being held to a hard-fought 1-1 draw away at Borussia Monchengladbach.
Bayer Leverkusen were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw away at Borussia Monchengladbach, slowing their momentum in the race for a top-four finish. The result also saw Gladbach finally avoid defeat at home against Leverkusen for the first time since 2018.
The points are shared 🤝
90+6′ | 1-1 | #BMGB04 pic.twitter.com/EtCDjS8NP2
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) February 7, 2026
Eager to disrupt Leverkusen’s recent pattern of alternating wins and losses, the hosts made an assertive start and were rewarded inside the opening 10 minutes. A loose pass from Janis Blaswich invited pressure on Aleix Garcia, who lost possession and allowed Haris Tabakovic to test the goalkeeper.
Although Blaswich managed to parry Tabakovic’s effort, the rebound fell kindly for Yannik Engelhardt. The midfielder reacted quickest, driving the ball inside the near post from a tight angle to give Gladbach a deserved early advantage.
Bayer Leverkusen struggled to recover from the setback and lacked fluency in the final third for much of the first half. Gladbach sensed an opportunity to double their lead, with Jens Castrop forcing another save from Blaswich after a powerful strike as the hosts continued to look the more threatening side.
Just as Gladbach appeared in control, Leverkusen were handed a lifeline shortly before the interval. Malik Tillman teed up Garcia for a speculative effort from distance, and Philipp Sander’s attempted clearance went horribly wrong, slicing the ball past his own goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas and into the top corner.
We’ll work even harder to put it right 💪 pic.twitter.com/gMoPQPirVC
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) February 8, 2026
Despite drawing level, Bayer Leverkusen head coach Kasper Hjulmand opted for changes at half-time, and they nearly completed the turnaround early in the second half. Patrik Schick came close to giving the visitors the lead when his effort grazed the outside of the post during a brief spell of pressure.
That momentum faded quickly, however, as Gladbach reasserted themselves and missed further chances through Castrop. However, due to poor Gladbach couldn’t find a winner. Gladbach, however, claimed a third draw in four matches, while Leverkusen extended their unbeaten run to five in all competitions ahead of their upcoming Champions League play-off against Olympiacos.
