Thanks to a late goal, Borussia Mönchengladbach secured relegation in the Bundesliga. Coach Eugen Polanski’s team deservedly won 1-0 (0-0) against Borussia Dortmund and also prevented their western rivals from finishing runner-up early. BVB could make this perfect on the next match day.
The Gladbachers got rid of their last relegation worries. For a long time it looked as if there would be no goals in the Borussia duel for the first time in more than 30 years. But Haris Tabakovic (88th) prevented a 0-0 draw late on; the last goalless draw between the two western rivals was in April 1994.
Mönchengladbach approached the game determinedly and resolutely. Coach Eugen Polanski’s team made quite an impression; BVB didn’t have a single significant chance in the entire first half.
However, despite all the commitment, the Gladbach game lacked penetration. The penultimate pass was usually too imprecise, so BVB goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was able to spend a largely relaxed afternoon. The keeper was only challenged once – and then immediately wide awake: The Swiss strongly fended off Tabakovic’s direct pass (32nd). For this, Kobel even received an appreciative handshake from the Gladbach striker.
BVB had once again relied on the recently very strong Samuele Inacio. As in the confident 4-0 win against SC Freiburg the previous week, the Italian started in the attacking midfield. But the 18-year-old wasn’t able to assert himself at first either; striker Serhou Guirassy sometimes dropped very low in order to be able to take part in the game.
But even after the break, the Gladbachers had their first opportunity – and it was tough. Tabakovic slipped the ball just past the goal (48th), and Julian Brandt missed the ball on the other side (52nd). The game finally picked up a bit more momentum and was more entertaining than in the first half. This was mainly due to the Gladbachers, who courageously pushed for the 1-0.
Dortmund’s game, however, by no means met their own standards. In terms of football, both teams were on a similar level. A free kick from a promising position by Marcel Sabitzer (76′) and a finish by Fabio Silva also brought no danger. Yannik Engelhardt (81′) and Rocco Reitz (85′) narrowly missed out for Gladbach, then Tabakovic scored the celebrated final point.
