Borussia Mönchengladbach showed off VfL Bochum at times in the Bundesliga and earned their first win – but Gladbach fans caused trouble.
On Saturday (September 30th, 2023), the team from Lower Rhine won 3-1 (3-0) in Bochum. The goals in Gladbach’s first win under new coach Gerardo Seoane were scored by Florian Neuhaus (27th minute) and Alassane Pléa (37th, 45th + 3), who were new to the starting line-up. The Frenchman was the man of the day with two goals and an assist. Bochum’s goal was scored by Anthony Losilla (68′).
“Everything went wrong in the first half, and a lot went wrong in the second half. We weren’t in the right place at all and got into situations where things were ablaze numerous times,” said coach Thomas Letsch, who demonstrated the performance described the break as “catastrophic”.
“We were ready from the start to adopt the style of play in this stadium. We were very active in attacking and defending,” said coach Gerardo Seoane. At half-time it was clear that things could get “tricky again”. “If you’re leading 3-0, you shouldn’t give up the game.”
Amateur Bochum residents invite Gladbach
The game was initially a clear affair for a long time. Gladbach put pressure on right from the start. Borussia’s offensive department mixed up VfL at will, as they lacked any counter-attack protection in transition moments.
Franck Honorat hit the post early (2nd). Pléa also took part in the usury of chances (10th, 18th), hitting the crossbar once. Neuhaus then took advantage of one of VfL’s ball losses in the build-up game, this time by Erhan Masovic, after an assist from Pléa to take the lead.
Double packer Pléa ends the goal curse
The Frenchman then scored a brace. First, the 30-year-old was criminally left alone at the second post when Maximilian Wöber took a corner kick and extended header. Later, Neuhaus won the ball in midfield and sent Pléa on his way, whose shot hit home.
With his first goal, Pléa ended a personal drought of 23 league games without a goal.
Injury-related VfL change without effect
Bochum offered nothing in terms of play, especially in the first half. Indicative of the lack of coordination: Bernardo accidentally hit his teammate Matus Bero at knee height early in the first period. Bero was treated for minutes until Christopher Antwi-Adjej had to replace him (7th).
VfL coach Thomas Letsch had to change his plan early on. Instead of midfielder Bero, attacker Antwi-Adjej lined up in an offensive line of three. But even after that, little came together.
Bochum only causes BMG problems (too) late
However, Bochum were more aggressive in the second half, Philipp Hofmann had a good header chance (53′) and Losilla made it 1-3 (69′) after a fine assist from Lukas Daschner. Losilla had a very late goal disallowed because of a foul on BMG goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas (90+5). Borussia had previously faltered and lost control.
That didn’t have to be the case, because Gladbach’s victory would have been greater if the chances had been exploited accordingly – VfL goalkeeper Manuel Riemann made a strong save in the second half against Jordan Siebatcheu (50th) and Luca Netz (57th).
Borussia fans cause trouble in the guest block
The start of the game was delayed by almost ten minutes because some Gladbach fans hung fence flags in their away block that covered the security gates. Despite announcements from the stadium announcer, the supporters initially apparently refused to let them go. Only then did referee Dr. Felix Brych starts the game.
Even after 28 minutes, shortly after Gladbach took the lead, there was an incident in and in front of the visitors’ block. BMG fans forced Brych to stop because pyrotechnics were set off and thrown towards the pitch. The fire department had to put out a fire behind the gang.
Gladbach welcomes Mainz, VfL in Leipzig
The “Foals” will meet 1. FSV Mainz 05 on the 7th matchday in front of their home crowd and under floodlights (Friday, October 6th, 2023 at 8:30 p.m.). A day later, VfL Bochum faces RB Leipzig away from home (3:30 p.m.).