BERLIN (Dispatches) -- Bayer Leverkusen scored two goals in each half to cruise 4-0 past uninspired Borussia Monchengladbach at the second round of Bundesliga on Saturday.
The “Foals” caught the worst possible start on the road as goalkeeper Yann Sommer deflected Mitchel Bakker’s long-range effort into the wrong goal with only three minutes into the encounter.
Leverkusen gained momentum and made it two only five minutes later after Moussa Diaby raced down on the right wing before squaring the ball into the path of Patrik Schick, who tapped the ball past hapless Sommer.
The visitors showed a vital sign a few moments later after Alassane Plea teed up for Jonas Hofman, whose low shot from 17 meters rattled the woodwork.
However, Sommer had more work to do at the other end of the pitch as Schick was through but unable to beat Monchengladbach’s goalkeeper following a one-on-one in the 39th minute.
Adi Hutter’s men had then the golden chance to halve the deficit as Bakker felled Stefan Lainer inside the box to cause a foul play penalty four minutes later. Monchengladbach team captain Lars Stindl stepped up, but custodian Lukas Hradecky was on guard and defused the penalty.
To make things worse for the “Foals”, Leverkusen continued clinical in front of the target after the break as Diaby made it three after finishing off Bakker’s build-up work in the 55th minute.
Monchengladbach kept it bowling but lacked in accuracy in front of the goal area whereas the hosts weren’t done with the scoring and put the result beyond doubt after Sommer fumbled Nadiem Amiri’s shot into the goal in the closing stages.