5th matchday
False start for Gladbach – Werner scores for Leipzig
False start perfect: Julian Weigl and Borussia Mönchengladbach lost 0-1 against RB Leipzig. photo
© Marius Becker/dpa
Three home defeats and still no win in the new season. Borussia Mönchengladbach got off to a classic false start.
Borussia Mönchengladbach is even deeper in crisis after their third home defeat in a row.
Last season’s tenth place team lost 1-0 (0-0) to RB Leipzig when long-time Gladbach player Max Eberl returned, thus losing three home games right from the start for the first time in their Bundesliga history. In front of 50,122 spectators, the recently unlucky Timo Werner (75th) scored the winning goal for the guests, who started with six wins from seven competitive games.
As always, the Gladbach fans welcomed the Leipzig team with a whistle concert and a banner saying “No acceptance for RB”. However, there were initially no special activities for Eberl’s first return. Only during the game was an ugly banner briefly visible with reference to the former sports director: “First I’ll get a sick note, then I’ll keep counting one note at a time,” it read. A caricature of Eberl could be seen on a poster.
Four days after the 3-1 opening win in the Champions League at Young Boys Bern, RB coach Marco Rose decided against the big rotation. Only Benjamin Sesko and Fabio Carvalho were new to the starting line-up for the first time, while Yussuf Poulsen and Emil Forsberg had to go to the bench.
Elvedi with starting eleven
However, the hosts took command, standing compactly at the back and with a lot of commitment and strength in the duel, they took dangerous actions in front of the Leipzig goal. The first starting appearance of central defender Nico Elvedi, who extended his contract during the week, and the comeback of Manu Kone ensured stability in the host team.
At the end of their English week, the guests lacked speed and passing accuracy against the five-man chain that Gladbach formed in defense when they lost the ball. Leipzig’s greatest opportunity to score was missed towards the end of the first half by loan player Xavi Simons, who missed Borussia keeper Moritz Nicolas with a shot from the edge of the penalty area and was also one of the more conspicuous Leipzig players.
The hosts had a little more of the game and had a great opportunity through Rocco Reitz (63′). But the midfielder, who also extended his contract during the week, was denied from close range by former Borussia goalkeeper Janis Blaswich, who had a good game for Leipzig. On the other hand, the decision was made by substitute Werner, who made it 1-0 with a shot from a tight angle.