Borussia Mönchengladbach deservedly won 3-0 against RB Leipzig on Saturday evening (September 17th, 2022) on the 7th matchday of the Bundesliga.
Jonas Hofmann scored with his goals (10th, 35th) the 2-0 half-time lead for Borussia. Ramy Bensebaini (53rd) made the preliminary decision shortly after the break.
With the victory, Gladbach climbed to sixth place for the time being, Leipzig slipped to twelfth place and is still lagging behind their own claims.
For the new coach Marco Rose it was the second bankruptcy in a row after the 0-2 defeat in the Champions League at Real Madrid, Rose had celebrated a win against Dortmund the week before.
“I don’t share the hate”
There was a heated atmosphere in Borussia Park right from the start. Coach Marco Rose, who returned to his former place of work, and his players were insulted and whistled at every ball contact.
Gladbach midfielder Christoph Kramer, who hugged Rose after the final whistle, didn’t understand the actions of his own supporters. “I don’t share the hatred of a lot of people at all. I know that it’s part of the business and that unfortunately it always takes on a certain dynamic, but I don’t join it.”Kramer said on “Sky”.
Leipzig boss Mintzlaff: negotiations with Eberl on the home stretch
The mood in Borussia Park was also heated because of Max Eberl’s personality. Last week, the Borussia fan project settled accounts with Eberl in an open letter about his upcoming move to RB. Eberl was verbally abused on posters in the stadium. The stadium announcer even warned the fans in the curve to take down a poster, otherwise referee Patrick Ittrich would interrupt the game.
Eberl had always harshly criticized the RB construct during his time in Mönchengladbach. According to RB managing director Oliver Mintzlaff, negotiations with Gladbach about Eberl joining the Saxons are nearing completion. Mintzlaff also confirmed this to the sports show.
Hofmann with Gladbach’s early lead
Leipzig’s plan to counter it with high pressing and early attacks on the pitch was thwarted early on. The first big chance, a header from Nico Elvedi after a corner, was thwarted by keeper Peter Gulacsi. Immediately afterwards, Leipzig’s defense was not up to par again, Joe Scally was able to flank unhindered, the header from Marcus Thuram Gulacsi was able to fend off, but Hofmann sank the margin to give Gladbach the lead.
It took Leipzig a long time to get going offensively. It was only after 25 minutes that it became dangerous for the first time in front of Yann Sommer’s box, but Andre Silva put the ball next to the box from around ten meters. Leipzig became more determined, again Silva had the equalizer on the foot, but Elvedi cleared Christopher Nkunku’s dangerous cross at the last moment before the Portuguese, who was ready to score.
Leipzig vulnerable, Gladbach counters strongly
But the Champions League club remained extremely vulnerable on the backward movement: Directly in return, David Raum let the ball in midfield Thuram chasing away, Leipzig’s defense completely exposed again: Thuram pushed through to Hofmann, who deliberately scored through Gulasci’s legs for the second time. The national player almost defeated Leipzig’s keeper a third time before the break, missing his shot from around 25 meters by just centimeters (37′).
Rose changes fizzle out at halftime
Leipzig coach Rose reacted, brought in Timo Werner for the pale Emil Forsberg at the break, and Amadou Haidara also had to give way for Xaver Schlager, who was supposed to provide more stability in midfield. In fact, Leipzig came out of the dressing room with more offensive drive, Silva’s head found space with the first cross, and Sommer parried brilliantly.
But Gladbach continued to raise the alarm with quick counterattacks: the strong one Thuram almost made a copy of the second goal, served Hofmann again, but this time Gulacsi saved.
But the doorbell rang at the following corner: Again, Leipzig’s defense did not get the situation clear, Lars Stindl used the second ball for a cross to the six-yard box, Bensebaini was able to push in unhindered to make it 3-0.
Leipzig was served after the third goal, Gladbach could have made the result even higher. Hofmann missed another huge chance three minutes before the end, missed a free-standing shot from close range.
Leipzig at home against Bochum, Gladbach at SV Werder
After the international break, Borussia Mönchengladbach will play again in the Saturday night game (October 1st, 2022, 6.30 p.m.) against Werder Bremen, who have been promoted up to now. At 3:30 p.m., RB Leipzig will have VfL Bochum, bottom of the table, as guests.