Max Kruse grumbled about a penalty that was not given, coach Florian Kohfeldt found the red card against Sebastiaan Bornauw unfair and Gladbach’s rejoicing over the supposed winning goal was quickly over. In the final phase of the 2-2 (1-2) between Borussia Mönchengladbach, things got hot – and in the end both teams were happy with the point.
“We fought sacrificially,” said VfL coach Kohfeldt. Gladbach then celebrated a point that Breel Embolo saved with his goal to make it 2-2 in the 82nd minute after Wolfsburg had already scored goals from Jonas Wind (6th) and Sebastiaan Bornauw in front of 10,000 spectators in Borussia Park (33rd) were 2-0 in the lead. Marcus Thuram also scored for the hosts (42nd), who initially celebrated Matthias Ginter’s winning goal in injury time. But the hit did not count according to video evidence.
“I have to compliment the team on how they put it all away. She fought against all odds,” said Borussia coach Adi Hütter, who changed his team to three positions and called up striker Thuram for the first time this year. The Frenchman also got into the game well and had the first chance right after 36 seconds. But then the hosts were caught off guard.
“It wasn’t a red card”
Wolfsburg, who again played in an unchanged formation and where Xaver Schlager celebrated his comeback after a five-month break after surviving a cruciate ligament tear in the second half, came with the first attack on the right after a cross from Ridle Baku to score the opening goal through wind, which went against Matthias Ginter was able to prevail.
The Gladbach team, who started in defensive midfield with Christoph Kramer for Manu Koné, found it difficult against the compact and well-established defensive line of the guests. Jonas Hofmann had the best chance after a one-two with Alassane Plea, but Borussia’s top scorer was denied by Koen Casteels in the Wolfsburg goal (17′).
The Lower Saxony remained the more effective team. After the third corner kick in a row by Maximilian Philipp, central defender Bornauw made it 2-0 for VfL with a header. The response from Borussia was not long in coming. After a soulful cross from Plea, Thuram made the connection with his first goal of the season.
That gave coach Hütter’s team a tailwind and a little more self-confidence, but it didn’t save them from a series of mistakes in passing or in tackling. National player Ginter still had the chance to equalize with a long-range shot (63′), but Casteels was able to parry. On the other hand, Kruse was denied a possible penalty. “I don’t know what they’re doing in the basement,” the Wolfsburg striker complained afterwards.
In the final phase, VfL defender Maxence Lacroix received a red card for intentional handball. “It wasn’t a red card,” said Kohfeldt. In the majority, the Gladbachers then managed the much-acclaimed equalizer through Embolo, who came on as a substitute.
