Borussia Mönchengladbach missed its fifth consecutive win in its own stadium in the Bundesliga. In the 1-1 (0-0) draw against Borussia Dortmund, several alleged penalty kick scenes were the focus. Gladbach wanted a penalty three times, and Kevin Stöger converted the one the hosts got to make the final score (71st minute). Jamie Gittens had previously given Dortmund the lead (64′).
What can you expect from the Borussia duel? This question couldn’t actually be answered in advance, as the two teams have performed so inconsistently so far this season. However, both Gladbach and BVB were in a very good phase overall, the hosts had taken ten points from the last six league games and the guests had won four of the previous six competitive games.
Dortmund had the better start, but Marcel Sabitzer missed the first big chance from 16 meters when he narrowly missed the goal with a low shot (6th). However, things got really exciting on the other side – twice in a short space of time when Gladbach wanted a penalty but didn’t get one.
Foul by Bensebaini, hand by Guirassy – but no penalty in each case
In the first scene, Ramy Bensebaini stepped on Joe Scally’s foot far from the ball – but referee Tobias Stieler and his VAR team apparently viewed this as an accident and left it as a corner (13th). Lucky for BVB for the first time, and the second time followed immediately.
Rocco Reitz came straight to the finish and Serhou Guirassy used his hand to prevent the ball from going towards the goal, instead it rolled just wide. Stieler didn’t whistle again, but had longer contact with the video cellar, but was not asked to give his own assessment on the screen – again only a corner instead of a penalty for Gladbach (15th).
Few chances for Gladbach and Dortmund
Otherwise the first half didn’t have much to offer. Sabitzer also missed his second chance with a header from five meters (27′), and Joe Scally was able to fend off an overhead kick from Guirassy just in front of his own goal (34′). The first 45 minutes remained without a goal, but not without excitement.
The second half began with the hosts’ second most dangerous finish after the second penalty scene. Stöger tried a direct free kick from 25 meters and only missed the BVB goal by about half a meter (47th). Even beyond this scene, coach Gerardo Seoane’s team came out of the locker room better and tried to earn their fifth home win in a row.
Gittens with class, Stöger with strong nerves
But things turned out differently. Nothing happened for a long time, but then Gittens had his big moment. Scally and Frank Honorat allowed the BVB youngster to penetrate the penalty area, did not attack him properly and were punished with a shot under the crossbar – 1-0 for Dortmund (64th).
Uli Schäfer, Sportschau, December 7th, 2024 8:52 p.m
But Gladbach countered and had the greatest chance to date through Alassane Plea, although Gregor Kobel made an outstanding save in his first tough test (68′). But: Right next to him, Pascal Groß was pulling on Tim Kleindienst so much that Stieler was ordered to the video screen by his referee colleagues, and this time he gave Gladbach the long-awaited penalty – and Stöger certainly converted it to make it 1-1 (71st).
Kobel saves the point for BVB, Cvancara is sent off
In the next dangerous move, the hosts were only a few centimeters away from taking the lead. After a corner, Robin Hack finished, but with a fantastic save Kobel managed to direct the ball onto the crossbar (81′).
The Swiss national goalkeeper secured a point for his team, but it almost ended up being three points for Dortmund. In the third minute of stoppage time, Guirassy missed the huge chance for BVB’s victory; he sent a header past the post from close range, but was unchallenged.
So Borussia shared the points, but both probably still have a lot to discuss due to the penalty decisions. This also applies to Tomas Cvancara, who was shown yellow-red shortly before the end for knocking the ball away. The Czech had only been substituted a few minutes earlier.
Gladbach against Kiel, Dortmund against Hoffenheim
Gladbach has a home game against Kiel next weekend (December 14th, 3:30 p.m.). Dortmund welcomes TSG from Hoffenheim (December 15th, 5:30 p.m.).