Daily Soccer Buzz: Soccer-Bundesliga: Ballack-Comeback

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Soccer-Bundesliga: Ballack-Comeback - Leverkusen wins in Gladbach

Michael Ballack is back on the Bundesliga stage. After a 3-1 (2-0) win at Bayer Leverkusen in Schlusslich Borussia Mönchengladbach, with the reconquered the Werkself back to second place, was all about the captain of the German national team, which differs from the final whistle in the stands the Bayer's supporters celebrate and this was visibly enjoyed.

"It was a wonderful feeling to be back on the court. If you are injured for so long and then again ranarbeitet wants to play of course. It was good to come in for a 2-0 lead, there is easier for a substitute, "a satisfied Ballack said after the final whistle. The 34-year-old was 134 days after his knee injury in the 56th Minutes added on as a substitute and has been neatly into a Bayer-game, which also prompted Bayer coach Jupp Heynckes to praise: "Michael Ballack has really helped the team and played confidently.

Exactly what I expected. "Substitution For Ballack was the work of self with goals from Michal Kadlec (37) and Gonzalo Castro (45) was already on the road to victory, Castro again in the 73rd Minute the finale. The hit to 1:2 by Martin Stranzl (65th) was too little for the Moenchengladbach, which are still waiting for their first home win against Leverkusen since 1989.

Such disappointment prevailed on the part of the hosts, who are cut off with only 13 points at the end of the table. "This is totally bitter, we were 2-2 on the foot and then collect a lock for the third goal. Now we have to bring in the next games the points. We can compete against any opponent that you have seen today, "said Gladbach's new signing Mike Hanke.

Before 36 696 spectators paved Bayer, which had lost both in the first round and in the DFB Cup against Gladbach, before the break of ten minutes the way high for the seventh away win. It was the team of coach Jupp Heynckes, who won for the first time as a guest coach at his former workplace, midway through the first half even happiness, not as the Borussia in their best phase used a double chance.

First came Marco Reus (24) to cross from Mohamadou Idrissou the crossbar before goalkeeper Rene Adler parried a shot by Hanke (25). But then used the effective Leverkusen their first opportunities ice cold. Zuänchst sat Kadlec, Arturo Vidal, who, like Sami Hyypia was back in the starting XI, a free-kick with a lot of feeling in the right angle (37).

A little later, Castro headed home after good work from Arturo Vidal dimensionally accurate the ball from close range through the legs of goalkeeper Christofer Heimeroth (45th). After the break the game leveled off at first. Borussia, retired shortly before the start of play-back Tobias Levels with gastro-intestinal problems and was replaced by Dante returnee had found against the compact defense score is rarely a good way.

Said Hank failed in the 54th Minute from a promising position at Eagle. Had little more luck later Stranzl, who had left the penalty box with a remarkable shot into the far corner of success. Leverkusen was the short-term pressure phase of the hosts was confident and decided the match by a counter-exemplary, the Castro again successful for production of Vidal graduated with a lob.