Tabakovic scores again
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Borussia Mönchengladbach continued their short series of successes in an emotionally charged Rhenish derby and defeated their old rivals 1. FC Köln again after three derby defeats in a row. The Gladbachers celebrated a 3-1 (1-0) win on Saturday evening and extended their winning streak to three competitive games in a row with their first Bundesliga home win this season. As in the last two games, Haris Tabakovic is again among the goalscorers
In the eighth game under coach Eugen Polanski, the hosts were able to leave the immediate relegation zone and initially improved to twelfth place. Cologne, on the other hand, lost their second away game in a row.
In front of 54,042 spectators in the completely sold-out Borussia Park, Philipp Sander (45th + 2), Kevin Diks (61st / penalty) and Haris Tabakovic (64th) scored the goals for the hosts. Tabakovic had previously awarded a penalty for Mönchengladbach. Luca Waldschmidt scored Cologne’s late goal with a penalty in the second minute of stoppage time.
The Gladbachers started the game with the formation that won 4-0 against FC St. Pauli. Polanski saw no reason to change anything. Sander stayed in the three-man defense chain, Florian Neuhaus in the attacking midfield behind the leaders Tabakovic and Franck Honorat. Cologne started with two fresh offensive players. The young Said El Mala was allowed to start from the start; it was only his third start. In addition, Marius Bülter moved to the top.
Tabakovic fails twice
In the game, which was intense from the start, the two Cologne strikers also had the first opportunities to score for their team, but Borussia’s keeper Moritz Nicolas was on target in each case. The guests combined a little more fluidly and quickly put Gladbach under pressure. But Borussia came up with their opportunities with a lot of effort and strength in the duels. Tabakovic missed a chance in the 15th minute and was denied by FC goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe.
Shortly before the break, events came to a head. A foul by Kristoffer Lund on Honorat in the penalty area was only recognized after a video check. However, Schwäbe was able to save Tabakovic’s penalty. Following the following corner, Sander scored the opening goal with a left-footed shot from eight meters. It was his first Bundesliga goal for Borussia.
Gladbach double strike
FC coach Lukas Kwasniok reacted and brought in two fresh players in Ragnar Ache and Sebastian Sebulonsen for the inconspicuous El Mala and Florian Kainz. But Lund from Cologne caused a second penalty of the evening. This time Diks made it 2-0.
Three minutes later, center forward Tabakovic made it 3-0 after a pass from Honorat in the roaring Borussia Park, which celebrated its first home win extensively – Waldschmidt’s goal didn’t change that.