Borussia Mönchengladbach clinched two wins before the international break. The “foals” also wanted to show their good form against Mainz, but only managed to do so for one half.
The mini series is broken: Borussia Mönchengladbach missed a win against Mainz 05 after the successes against Hertha BSC and VfL Bochum. The team of coach Adi Hütter only got a 1:1 after a 1:0 lead and were even lucky that there was no defeat in the end. Goalkeeper Yann Sommer became the best Gladbach player of the game in the closing stages. The goals of the game were scored by Breel Embolo (33rd minute) for Gladbach and Karim Onisiwo (73rd) for Mainz.
That’s how the game went
After two wins, Borussia started with confidence and clearly dominated the game under Hütter, who was sitting on the sidelines for the first time since his corona infection. Mainz was pushed deep into their own half. With captain Lars Stindl, who was back in the starting XI for the first time since mid-January after his knee injury, even more playful finesse came into the team. The fitness of the 33-year-old was only enough until shortly after the break.
Gladbach captain Lars Stindl showed a committed performance. (Source: Uwe Kraft/imago images)
At first, as is so often the case against extremely defensive opponents, Borussia found it difficult to create compelling scoring chances. The best chance after half an hour led to a well-deserved lead for Mainz, who were far too passive in this situation. Embolo completed his 100th competitive game for Borussia after a successful combination with Florian Neuhaus.
Svensson brought in Jonathan Burkardt for Marcus Ingvartsen at the break. Burkardt had previously been ailing, but still made it into the squad. Only two minutes on the field, Burkardt almost got the unexpected equalizer with Mainz’s first chance in the game. After a post rebound after a shot by Leandro Barreiro, Burkardt came to the end, but Gladbach keeper Yann Sommer parried brilliantly with a reflex.
Mainz was no longer as extremely low as in the first round and attacked earlier. At the same time, Gladbach became more passive and were no longer as sure of a pass as before. Almost inevitably, Onisiwo equalized, giving summer no chance. Only now was it an open game in which both teams were looking for a decision. The Gladbachers suddenly felt an insecurity again, which they had not shown under Hütter’s assistant Christian Peintinger when the head coach was absent due to the corona.