Highlights

0:22
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Watch: Alonso: "There are still many games to play"

Full-time
90'
+ 4

Full-time: Bayer 0-0 Gladbach

Leverkusen have to settle for a point after failing to score in a game they largely dominated. Xabi Alonso's men will be disappointed they couldn't turn territorial advantage into goals but credit should be given to a Gladbach side who were resolute in their defending against the Bundesliga leaders. As it stands, B04 have a two-point advantage at the top of the Bundesliga table over Bayern Munich, with the top two set to do battle in a couple of weeks.
90'
+ 3

Nicolas on the spot

Schick lifts the ball in for Hložek, who hooks it for Tella. The 24-year-old can only divert the ball into the arms of Nicolas from close range.
90'

Time added on

There will be four minutes tacked onto the end of this one.
90'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes

information
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
2.
Florian Wirtz
Florian Wirtz33.07km/h
3.
Luca Netz
Luca Netz33.00km/h
87'

Schick and wide

Wirtz's corner is just a touch too high for Schick, who can only glance an angled header off target.
84'

Here comes Hložek

Bayer bring Hložek on for Hofmann. The Leverkusen fans are giving their all to push the hosts on towards a winner.
81'

Weigl yellow

Gladbach's captain is warned for time wasting.
79'

Fukuda debut

Young Japanese striker Shio Fukuda makes his senior bow for Gladbach as part of a three-man change for the visitors. Nathan Ngoumou and Christopher Kramer are also on for the Foals.
79'

Substitution

79'

Substitution

77'

Stanišić off target

Leverkusen's frustration continues as Stanišić drills harmlessly wide following plenty of passing in the final third. Gladbach continue to hold firm.
74'

Stanišić sees yellow

Schick makes contact with Nicolas following a Leverkusen in-swinger. Nicolas goes down and Stanišić complains to the ref, who books the B04 player.
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70'

Lainer comes on

Applause from Stefan Lainer, who comes on for the second successive week for Gladbach. The Austrian recently recovered from cancer to return to the Gladbach fold.
68'

Bayer change

Xabi Alonso mixes things up with the introduction of Nathan Tella. Nadiem Amiri - who was making his first Bundesliga start this season today - comes off.
66'

Schick sees yellow

Schick goes in studs up on Scally and that's a booking for the Bayer forward.
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Time ticking on

We know from the past couple of weeks that Leverkusen are the last-minute specialists, but the hosts won't want to take this one all the way to injury time again this week. The chances are coming for the home side, but they have yet to take one.
62'

Neuhaus challenge

Frimpong races through on goal and just when the defender is about to pull the trigger, Neuhaus slides in and hooks the ball away. A goal-saving challenge.
62'

Substitution

60'

Double chance

Grimaldo squares for Frimpong, who somehow manages to clear instead of firing at the target. Miments later, the Dutchman squares for Grimaldo, who blasts over.
56'

Big moment

A super Schick header releases Wirtz and suddenly Leverkusen are sprinting forward into space. Wirtz plays Frimpong into the area but the Dutch full-back can only swipe at the ball with his left foot and his effort bobbles wide.
54'

No way through

Frimpong sprints into the area but his pass to Hofmann just has too much pace on it and Leverkusen's midfielder can't work the ball towards goal. Nicolas subsequently saves a tame shot from Amiri.
52'

Kovář relief

Hack runs free towards the Leverkusen box. Kovář races to the edge of his box but isn't getting there, so it's just as well for the the home keeper that the assistant's flag rises.
49'

B04 building

information
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
More patient build-up play from Leverkusen at the start of this half. The hosts have scored at least one goal in all 27 of their competitive games this season. Will they make a breakthrough here?
xGoals
0
1.09
0.21
0
Goals
47'

Xhaka booking

Xhaka lands studs first on Neuheus, who goes down in a heap. That's a yellow card for the Leverkusen midfielder.
46'

Back underway

Gladbach get the second half going at the BayArena ....
Kick-off!
45'
+ 2

Half-time: Bayer 0-0 Gladbach

Hofmann sees his shot saved by Nicolas and that brings an end to an entertaining 45 minutes which Leverkusen edged, if only in terms of possession and chances created.
Half-time
45'
+ 1

Wishful thinking

Amiri lifts the ball against Elevedi, who throws his arms behind his back and the ball comes off the defender's stomach. The home fans shout out in hope but that's not going to be the penalty they want.
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No way through

We still await the game's first goal but we've had plenty to keep us entertained otherwise in what has been a compelling game to date.
40'

Grimaldo off target

Grimaldo, from a central position, whips a shot wide of the upright from a good distance out. Nicolas had that covered all the way.
38'

The running men

Distance run (km)
5.4
5.3
Florian Wirtz Robin Hack
36'

Wirtz eyes goal

Florian Wirtz twists and turns inside the area before poking a shot straight into the arms of Nicolas.
33'

Opportunities

The game is becoming ever more open as Gladbach grow in attacking confidence.
Goal attempts
5off target
4on target
1off target
3on target
32'

Gladbach improving

A decent spell from the Foals here. Hack and Honorat are creating while Honorat applies a shot that causes Kovář a headache, the goalkeeper spilling and then relieved to see teammate Andrich tidy up.
30'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes

information
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
2.
Luca Netz
Luca Netz33.00km/h
3.
Nico Elvedi
Nico Elvedi31.61km/h
27'

Neuhaus glimpse

Neuhaus relieves the pressure on the visitors by rounding off a counter attack with a strike that Kovář easily deals with.
25'

Chances flowing

Again Bayer come, this time working a corner to Wirtz, who cross for Stanišić. The Croatian's header is straight at Nicolas. Soon afterwards, Patrik Schick sends an effort wide of the target.
24'

Almost Bayer

Xhaka nicks possession inside the Gladbach box and tees up Hofmann, who backheels to Wirtz. Leverkusen's No.10, with the goal at his mercy, drags a weak shot wide of the post. Wirtz has to score there.
22'

Gladbach alive

Hack and Koné help to set up a chance for Netz, who angles an effort at the far post. Kovář gets a strong hand to the ball.
20'

Battle-hardened

Duels won
6
6
Patrik Schick Nico Elvedi
18'

Wirtz tries one

Bayer fans let out a collective roar after Weigl's hand connects with the ball inside the Leverkusen box. Unintentional, says the ref. B04 stay focused and Wirtz comes away with the ball before prodding a floating shot just past the post.
17'

Grimaldo menacing

Xhaka lifts a lovely ball towards the back stick, where Grimaldo is waiting. The Spain international connects to send a first-time pass into the centre. Scally slides in to clear.
15'

Pass masters

It all looks very pretty, but at some point the home fans will want to start seeing some clear-cut chances created.
Passes
228
35
12'

Stanišić effort

Wirtz snaffles possession and quickly feeds Xhaka, who in turn finds Josip Stanišić. The Bayern Munich loanee sees his shot on the run blocked.
10'

One-way traffic

Possession (%)
8020
8'

Tidy hosts

It's impressive to watch Leverkusen confidently knock quick-fire, one-touch passes in tight spaces and almost always find their man. An opener for the league leaders looks inevitable right now.
6'

Pattern set?

The visitors, in their all white kits, are sitting deep, allowing the Werkself time and space on the ball.
3'

Bayer on fire

Leverkusen are pinging it about early doors and Amiri emerges with the game's first shot, a rasping drive from the right that Nicolas tips over following an acrobatic drive.
1'

Away we go

Xhaka tips the ball to Hofmann and we're underway in this evening's Topspiel!
Kick-off!
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"Never again is now!"

Under this slogan, German professional football is commemorating the victims of National Socialism on and around 27 January, the date of liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp. This is the 20th year in which the DFL and the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 clubs have been involved in the “day of commemoration in German football” in cooperation with the “!Nie Wieder” (“!Never Again”) initiative. In light of current events, the day of commemoration around Matchdays 19 and 20 (26–28 January and 2–4 February) will focus on the topic of antisemitism.

Gladbach's back three

The visitors are lining up with Friedrich, Elvedi and USMNT international Joe Scally in a three-man defence as they look to stem Bayer's flow today. There's no Pléa, who is injured while Reitz is only on the bench as he inches back to 100 per cent full fitness.

Kovář in the spotlight

So, what a big evening this could be for goalkeeper Matěj Kovář, making his first Bundesliga start with Lukáš Hrádecký dropping to the bench. "It's just a decision for today that we'll help [Matěj] for the next games in the cup. Both are strong goalkeepers. And Lukáš will be in goal again next week in Darmstadt," Xabi Alonso explained of his decision.
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Tick tock

Not long now until Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen are back in action under their formidable boss Xabi Alonso. Will his Werkself side extend their unbeaten run in all competitions or can the Foals cause a big upset at the BayArena?

Bayer absentees

The absentee list remains a lengthy one for Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso. Those on international duty include Amine Adli, Edmond Tapsoba and Odilon Kossounou while along with the aforementioned Boniface, Arthur and Exequiel Palacios are injured. Jonathan Tah, meanwhile, is suspended.

Neuhaus at the ready

Florian Neuhaus makes his first start in almost two months for Gladbach, who also have 19-year-old Japanese striker Shio Fukuda in their match squad for the first time.
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Kovář in, Schick milestone

Matěj Kovář makes his Bundesliga debut between the posts for B04 while Nadiem Amiri is in for his first start in the top-flight this term. With Victor Boniface sidelined for the foreseeable with an injury, Patrik Schick leads the attack in what will be his 100th Bundesliga appearance.

Leverkusen starting XI

Kovář - Stanišić, Andrich (c), Hincapié - Frimpong, Xhaka, Amiri, Grimaldo - Hofmann, Wirtz - Schick

Leverkusen subs

Hrádecký, Fosu-Mensah, Münz, Mbamba, Puerta, Tella, Hložek, Izekor, Onyeka

Gladbach starting XI

Nicolas - Scally, Friedrich, Elvedi, Netz - Neuhaus, Weigl (c), Koné - Honorat Jordan, Hack

Gladbach subs

Olschowsky, Chiarodia, Lainer, Jantschke, Ngoumou, Kramer, Reitz, Ranos, Fukuda
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“Never again is now!”

Under this slogan, German professional football is commemorating the victims of National Socialism on and around 27 January, the date of liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp. This is the 20th year in which the DFL and the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 clubs have been involved in the “day of commemoration in German football” in cooperation with the “!Nie Wieder” (“!Never Again”) initiative. In light of current events, the day of commemoration around Matchdays 19 and 20 (26–28 January and 2–4 February) will focus on the topic of antisemitism.
4:01
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Watch: Why Bayer Leverkusen can win the title - analysis

Leverkusen are unbeaten and top of the Bundesliga after 18 matches - here's how and why they can go all the way...

Tah and Palacios out

Exequiel Palacios suffered injury against Leipzig last weekend and missed out, so too does the suspended Jonathan Tah. Gustavo Puerta is tipped to replace the former in midfield, with Robert Andrich most likely to drop into defence.

Weigl back for the Foals

Gladbach will be glad to have Julian Weigl back from suspension, especially with Rocco Reitz withdrawn through injury against Augsburg. In the centre of defence, Maximilian Wöber is hoping to return from illness in time to feature and he could put pressure on Marvin Friedrich.
1:02
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Watch: Eintracht Frankfurt 1-0 Mainz - highlights

Before we get stuck into today's action, here's how Matchday 19 got underway last night as Mario Götze's second-half goal earned Frankfurt victory over Mainz.
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Alonso's view on Gladbach

"It'll be a tough game. We're expecting a well-prepared opponent. We know Gladbach, and Gladbach know us. Gerardo [Seoane] deserves a warm reception. He's rightfully held in high esteem here."
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Seoane's view on Leverkusen

"I'm looking forward to going back. I had a great time there. I'm also grateful for the opportunity I was given and for the people I met there. But that's now over a year ago and the focus is absolutely on the second task, the more difficult task. Because saying hello to people will be relatively easy for me, but nobody has yet managed to stop or beat this strong team, and there are certain reasons for that. The fact that they have the belief, that they're hungry... It certainly sends a message when you keep going full throttle right to the end, and I think everyone knows that Leverkusen are very strong contenders [for the title]."

In Pep's footsteps

Only Bayern Munich under Pep Guardiola have ever accumulated more points after 18 games than Leverkusen’s league-leading tally of 48. In 2013/14, Bayern had 50 points at this stage, and 49 in 2015/16.
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Probable line-ups

Who’s set to play this weekend? Who’s going to miss out? Keep up to date with all the latest team news right here!
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Win an exclusive gift box, including 2 tickets for Der Klassiker!

The Bundesliga is back and with it comes a promising second half of the season full of action and entertainment. To celebrate its return, all users with a Bundesliga account can win an exclusive gift box and a special Bundesliga experience. Click here for more!
2:03
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Watch: Gladbach 0-3 Leverkusen - previous meeting

Victor Boniface scored twice in a comfortable derby victory for Leverkusen on Matchday 2.
2:03
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Watch: Leipzig 2-3 Leverkusen - highlights

Leverkusen consolidated top spot and made it 18 matches unbeaten to start the Bundesliga season after twice coming from behind to edge out top-four rivals Leipzig at the Red Bull Arena.
2:03
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Watch: Gladbach 1-2 Augsburg - highlights

Gladbach beat Stuttgart 3-1 in their first game back, but let a 1-0 lead slip in defeat to Augsburg on Matchday 18. The 12th-placed Foals are yet to record back-to-back league wins under Gerardo Seoane.
0:30
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Hello and welcome!

Thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this Matchday 19 fixture between Leverkusen and M'gladbach.