32nd matchday
Neuhaus saves Gladbach a point late on
Two goals from Nick Woltemade (l) were not enough for Werder to win against Gladbach. photo
© Carmen Jaspersen/dpa
Gladbach scores an important point in the relegation battle. The equalizer in Bremen came very late – and after video evidence.
A late goal from the ex-national player Florian Neuhaus saved Borussia Mönchengladbach from the next setback in the relegation battle. The midfielder converted a hand penalty in stoppage time to make it 2-2 (1-1) at Werder Bremen and thus saved the Lower Rhine team an important point. For Bremen, however, the draw in the fight for a place in the European Cup was a setback.
The North Germans had already looked like the winners after a brace from Nick Woltemade (45th minute, 65th). Robin Hack gave the guests an early lead in front of 42,100 spectators in the sold-out Weserstadion (8th).
Gladbach starts strong in Bremen
Due to the draw in the 1000th home game in the club’s history, Werder missed out on the move to eighth place on coach Ole Werner’s 36th birthday, which could ultimately be enough for a place in the European Cup.
The Gladbachers were initially unrecognizable compared to their despondent performance in the 0-0 draw against Union Berlin. Seoane had made three changes to his team. Julian Weigl, Franck Honorat and Manu Koné returned to the starting eleven. And above all, the inclusion of Koné, who had been injured for a long time, was good for the guests’ game. Gladbach appeared much more imaginative and variable and took the lead early on. After a fine pass from Rocco Reitz, Hack was there and made it 1-0 with his ninth goal of the season.
Borussia then failed to extend their lead against unsettled Bremen. First Koné failed because of Werder goalkeeper Michael Zetterer. Then the Bremen goalkeeper, whose contract extension was announced before the game, made a strong save on a header from Ko Itakura.
Neuheus keeps his nerve from the penalty spot
The hosts, who were so convincing in their recent wins against Stuttgart and Augsburg, couldn’t think of much for a long time. The sudden prospect of the European Cup seemed to somehow paralyze the North Germans. But Gladbach didn’t take advantage of this and inexplicably retreated far. That took revenge shortly before the break. After a serious mistake by Joe Scally, Woltemade was nicely cleared and equalized with his first Bundesliga goal.
Even after the break, the Gladbachers acted inexplicably passive and defensively and left Werder to take complete control of the game. As has been the case several times this season, this was punished. After a corner, Woltemade headed in to give Bremen the lead. Now the guests finally woke up again and had a great chance to equalize through Reitz (70th). But it wasn’t until stoppage time that Neuhaus redeemed the guests and held his nerve from the penalty spot.