Two early goals from Robin Hack paved the way for Borussia Mönchengladbach to win 3-1 against VfB Stuttgart on Sunday (January 14, 2024). In the second half, however, it was a tough game for the hosts, who hardly found any relief and only made the decision late.
“In the first half we didn’t take advantage of our possession. We made a lot of simple mistakes. We didn’t win many important duels,” said Stuttgart’s Waldemar Anton after the bitter 3-1 defeat. “Then we quickly concede two goals and chase the deficit. That’s difficult in Gladbach.”
Ulli Schäfer, Sportschau, January 14, 2024 7:41 p.m
However, the Gladbachers couldn’t have imagined the start of the game better. After just 20 seconds, shooting star Rocco Reitz released his colleague Robin Hack, who shot hard into the far corner against the still completely unsorted Stuttgart defense.
Honorat’s goal would have counted
After that, the guests slowly gained control of the midfield, but were still extremely vulnerable at the back. In the 9th minute, Hack passed the ball to Franck Honorat in the penalty area, who was denied by Alexander Nübel, who reacted strongly. The linesman raised the offside flag, but wrongly – the goal would have counted.
To the live ticker: Gladbach – Stuttgart arrow right 17th matchday arrow right
But this scene once again revealed how easily the surprise team from the first half of the season could be outmaneuvered in the last line. In the 20th minute, Alassane Plea played the ball again into the interface between Waldemar Anton and Dan-Axel Zagadou, and Pascal Stenzel also had no access at all – Hack mercilessly used the huge space behind the chain to make it 2-0.
Weigl gives Undav the first chance
It was only through a careless action by Julian Weigl, who dribbled in front of his own penalty area and lost the ball, that Stuttgart had their first chance to score after half an hour – but Deniz Undav only hit the left outside post.
Undav also showed three minutes later that he can cause big problems for Gladbach: After a long cross from Maximilian Mittelstädt, VfL keeper Moritz Nicolas dived under the ball, but Undav missed the chance because he wanted to play across again instead of aiming for the empty goal .
Undav for the third – but Vagnoman scores
In the absence of Serhou Guirassy and Silas Katompa Mvumpa, who were employed at the Africa Cup, the goal threat department remained solely with Undav even after the break. In the 48th minute he cleverly moved backwards after a corner and received the ball at the penalty spot, which Nicolas was then able to direct around the post. In the 56th minute, the attacker finally got support: right-back Josha Vagnoman stepped in and hit the ball from the edge of the penalty area into the left corner to make it 1-2.
This goal had a big impact on both sides. Stuttgart remembered the football of the first half of the season, combined fluently, unleashed constant pressure, but still without the greatest penetration in the center. Gladbach began to tremble, no other team has lost so many points after taking the lead this season – this feeling among the hosts was almost palpable.
Counterattack left behind to make it 3-1 – then Jordan scores
It wasn’t until ten minutes before the end that Borussia even fired another shot on goal, but that should have calmed the game down. But Hack tipped the ball just past the goal after a solo effort across half the field.
When seven minutes of injury time was shown on the sideline, the Gladbachers put the lid on it: Manu Koné hit the right post after a counterattack, and substitute Jordan Siebatcheu pushed the rebound over the line to make it 3-1.
VfB in Bochum, “Fohlen” receive Augsburg
VfB will face Bochum next matchday (Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 3:30 p.m.). Gladbach visits the Fuggerstadt team one day later (5:30 p.m.).