Borussia Mönchengladbach celebrated their sixth home win in a row in the Bundesliga using very traditional means. In the 4:1 (3:1) against Holstein Kiel, high balls were the key to victory. Tim Kleindienst (1st minute) and Alassane Plea (43rd) scored with a header, Robin Hack (19th) with a lob.
Only 36 seconds had been played and the game had already taken the expected direction. Gladbach countered on the right side and Kleindienst used a buttery cross from Franck Honorat to quickly take the lead. And just a few moments after kick-off, Kiel made it clear why they concede an average of almost three goals per game.
Gigovic’s dream goal only gives Kiel hope for a short time
In Mönchengladbach, the promoted team had already achieved their average after the first 45 minutes – and again and again there were high balls that the Kiel team couldn’t cope with. Kleindienst initially missed the top-class player after a cross from Rocco Reitz to make it 2-0 (19th), but then a long ball gave Hack the opportunity to extend Gladbach’s lead with a remarkable lob (19th).
A fantastic long-range shot from Armin Gigovic into the corner allowed Kiel to dream of winning a point (30th), but their hope didn’t last too long. Honorat served from a corner for the second time, this time Plea’s header was there at the near post – 3-1 (43′).
Plea finally puts the lid on it
For a long time in the second half, very little happened. It was only after 67 minutes that things got dicey again, and Kiel came forward again with a good offensive action. However, Moritz Nicolas was able to fend off a shot from Benedikt Pichler and the guests rightly didn’t get the penalty that was called for due to an alleged handball.
Gladbach then increased their efforts to eliminate any doubts about victory. First Philipp Sander failed with a free kick against his former club (78th), but shortly afterwards the score was 4-1. This time Reitz prepared the ball flatly and this time Plea also finished flatly and with his foot (79′).
Thanks to the safe victory, the Gladbachers have rejoined the race for the European places; the gap is now only one error. Kiel, on the other hand, with five points, is just lucky that the clubs immediately ahead of them have barely scored any points so far.
Gladbach in Hoffenheim, Kiel against Augsburg
Gladbach’s last game before the winter break is in Hoffenheim (December 21st, 3:30 p.m.). At the same time, Kiel is playing at home against Augsburg.