With a courageous performance and the outstanding center forward Tim Kleindienst, Borussia Mönchengladbach has made it into the European Cup places. Coach Gerardo Seoane‘s team won 4-1 (3-0) against Bremen at the end of the 9th matchday in the Bundesliga and inflicted SV Werder’s first away defeat of the season. He was “very, very happy,” said national player Kleindienst, who was involved in all of Gladbach’s goals: “That’s what our goal should be at home.”
For Gladbach it was their third home win in a row after their disappointing cup appearance in Frankfurt. They overtook Bremen in the table with 13 points. In front of 50,000 spectators, Alassane Plea (11th minute), Marco Friedl (12th/own goal), Franck Honorat (45th) and Kevin Stöger (67th) scored the goals. Bremen were particularly disappointing in the first half and scored their only goal through Keke Topp (75′). In the 82nd minute, Mitchell Weiser also saw a yellow-red card. “We did it catastrophically from start to finish,” said Werder striker Marvin Ducksch.
Gladbach’s coach Seoane had made three changes to the team; His team took a quick 2-0 lead with an early double strike. Both times, Borussia benefited from individual mistakes in the Bremen team: after a major bad pass from Senne Lynen, Kleindienst reacted quickest, passed the ball inside, and Plea’s shot on goal was deflected unstoppably by Leonardo Bittencourt to make it 1-0. With the next wave of attack, which was initiated with a bad pass from Werder keeper Michael Zetterer, Franck Honorat brought the ball into the penalty area. In a duel with Kleindienst, defender Friedl scored an own goal.
Kleindienst had two more good chances in the 20th and 29th minutes. With a solo run and an excellent pass from him, Honorat made it 3-0. Substitute Stöger completed one of Gladbach’s counterattacks to make it 4-0 before Bremen scored the next goal.
Mainz bluff without effect
In the second Sunday game, SC Freiburg missed the jump to third place in the Bundesliga: The team did not get beyond a 0-0 draw against FSV Mainz 05 on Sunday and remains sixth. It was the first draw for the sports club under the leadership of coach Julian Schuster, but Mainz remain unbeaten away from home. Both teams got involved in duels and the 34,400 spectators hardly saw any chances to score.
Coach Bo Henriksen surprised with his formation. In the press conference he explained that national attacker Jonathan Burkardt was not available due to a muscle injury and that the risk of a long-term absence was too great. Apparently a bluff, as it turned out when the starting eleven was announced. Burkardt stormed and forced the first corner for Mainz after eleven minutes, but it did not pose any major danger.
Overall, Freiburg were the more determined team. After half an hour they countered in their own stadium. Eren Dinkci passed the ball to Junior Adamu, who was denied by goalkeeper Zentner – it was the best opportunity of the evening. Burkardt stayed in the dressing room for Mainz, who hosted Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. Armindo Sieb stormed in for him after the break. Freiburg midfielder Patrick Osterhage provided the appropriate analysis: “All in all: The 0-0 score suits the game.”
