After the gala in the DFB Cup, Borussia Mönchengladbach also won in the Bundesliga. In the 2:1 win against VfL Bochum, a long series was broken.
Most people at Borussia Mönchengladbach knew that such a perfect evening as last Wednesday would not happen again. The weather was already lacking for that. But even in the constant rain in West Germany, the Foals still managed a home victory – even if it was by no means as glamorous. However, the start to the game was once again impressive.
Gladbach coach Adi Hütter had to make one change after the 5:0 victory against Bayern due to injury. Beyer had to miss the game with a muscle injury and was replaced by the attacking Plea – and he was quickly rewarded for his nomination: After a strong cross by Scally, the Bochum defence left the Frenchman far too free and Plea nodded in for the 1:0 (12th). Before that, Ginter (3rd) and Stindl (5th) had already scored the first goals for the immediately alert Foals after a corner.
Bochum too careless – Hofmann scores without compromise
Bochum were good in the duels and compressed the spaces in the centre, but created too little relief. VfL coach Thomas Reis had resorted to reverse rotation after the cup victory in the penalty shoot-out against Augsburg, making five changes and fielding almost the same starting eleven as in the 2-0 league win against Frankfurt. Only Holtmann was allowed to start in place of Blum – and in the 17th minute he recorded the first noteworthy Bochum goal, but missed just as Asano did shortly afterwards (21st). During this phase, VfL got better and better into the game – also because the increasingly heavy rain made Gladbach’s combination play more difficult.
However, Bochum also acted too carelessly in many promising attacking situations – and eventually did the same in defence. A long shot from the Borussia half reached Plea far too easily. The Frenchman drew two opponents on him and passed at the perfect moment to Hofmann, who slammed the ball humorlessly into the far corner (40th) – Mönchengladach was mercilessly efficient.
Post prevents VfL from connecting
For the second half, Reis made two changes, bringing on Stafylidis and Blum for Gamboa and the unfortunate Holtmann. Polter hesitated too long in a promising position (48th), but Mönchengladbach again had the first good chance of the second period. Pela’s low shot landed just wide of the goal (53rd).
Bochum tried to go forward again and again, but it was too slow and hardly compelling. Mönchengladbach defended in a very relaxed manner and kept the ball away from their own goal through long periods of possession. It was not until 20 minutes before the end that the promoted team had its first really good chance of the game: First, Sommer deflected Asano’s shot over the crossbar (70th), and after the following corner Lampropoulos hit the post with his head (71st). Shortly afterwards, Gladbach had another great chance, Hofmann was already past Riemann, but Soares prevented the early Bochum knockout on the line (74.).
Blum creates suspense – Sommer saves Mönchengladbach
So it became exciting once again in the final phase. After Antwi-Adjei, who had come on shortly before, had missed a good opportunity (83rd), Blum, who had come on as a substitute, scored the equaliser with a superb free kick from the right corner of the penalty area (86th). Shortly afterwards, Bensebaini hit the post with an artistic side-footed shot (88th) and Borussia had to tremble until the last second – and almost conceded the equaliser. Pantovic, also a substitute, finished from the left five-corner, but Sommers’ knee popped out to save Gladbach’s three points (90.+3).
This also snapped a 24-year old streak: after 15 winless Bundesliga games in a row, Mönchengladbach won again against VfL Bochum. Stefan Effenberg scored in the last win in September 1997. The Foals open the coming matchday with an away game in Mainz (Friday, 8.30 pm). Bochum welcome TSG Hoffenheim the following day (3.30 p.m.).
