Borussia Mönchengladbach has averted another setback. The first home win was achieved with a 2-1 win over Heidenheim. This ensures a better atmosphere and a boost for the cup duel for both teams.
The derby frustration was alleviated, the home curse was banished – Borussia Mönchengladbach was spared another sporting setback.
A week after the bitter 1:3 at arch-rivals 1. FC Köln, coach Gerardo Seoane’s team celebrated a hard-fought 2:1 (1:1) win over 1. FC Heidenheim. In front of 51,541 spectators, Alassane Plea (4th minute) and an own goal from Jonas Föhrenbach (54th) ensured the celebrated first home win of the season at Borussia Park. This gave the hosts courage for the cup duel between both teams at the same venue just three days later.
On the other hand, the promoted side still has to wait for its first away win in the football upper house, but is still in a non-relegation zone. However, a week after the clear 2:5 at home against Augsburg, the team was in better form and could now hope for a draw after Eren Dinkci’s equalizer (38th).
Despite the handicap of having to do without seven suspended or injured professionals, Borussia got off to a perfect start. The desire to do better than in the derby a week before was noticeable right from the start. The first opportunity gave us the lead. Heidenheim’s Norman Theuerkauf pushed Plea’s shot from seven meters back into the field, but it came a step too late. As the goal line technology signaled to the referee, the ball had completely crossed the line.
An early lead gives Borussia security
The early lead gave Borussia, who had previously been unsettled, noticeably more support. With a calm build-up to the game, she minimized the risk of dangerous ball losses and occasionally set accents forward. Nathan N’Goumou (16th) missed the chance to make it 2-0 when, after a nice solo, he was unable to place the ball in the far corner of the goal and shot clearly over. Further opportunities from Jordan Siebatcheu (31st) and the strong Rocco Reitz (33rd/35th) also remained unused.
That would take revenge a little later. Although the guests were primarily occupied with defensive work and therefore had difficulty creating chances, they struck ice-cold. A first warning shot from Jan-Niklas Beste (20th) from a tight angle, which Gladbach keeper Moritz Nicolas parried, encouraged more attack. The very next opportunity revealed major gaps in Gladbach’s defense. After a counterattack via center forward Tim Kleindienst, Dinkci was there and scored from 18 meters before the break to equalize, which was a flattering match up to that point.
Even after the restart, Borussia remained in charge. That paid off early. After a corner from Franck Honorat, Föhrenbach headed the ball into his own net from close range, putting his team behind again. Plea, who was celebrated as a goalscorer by Gladbach, had only touched the ball briefly beforehand.
In the final phase, Heidenheim pushed for an equalizer, which Gladbach keeper Nicolas prevented with a brilliant save from a header from Kleindienst (70th). With a lot of luck and skill, Borussia saved the lead over time.
Source: Stern
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