Also because of Casteels' blunder: Gladbach beat Wolfsburg
Borussia Mönchengladbach continued their upward trend with an impressive show of goals and exacerbated VfL Wolfsburg's results crisis. Coach Gerardo Seoane's team deservedly defeated the team from Lower Saxony 4:0 (2:0) to open the 11th matchday in the Bundesliga.
It was the fourth competitive game in a row without defeat for the Gladbach side, who also benefited from a blunder by Wolfsburg goalkeeper Koen Casteels. Wolfsburg, on the other hand, have been without a win in the league since the end of September. The VW club has picked up just one point in its last five games.
In front of 45,308 spectators at Borussia-Park, Tomas Cvancara in the 16th minute, Rocco Reitz (42), Franck Honorat (64) and Alassane Pléa (71) scored the goals for the hosts. Gladbach moved past Wolfsburg, who are now level on points, in the table and are now in ninth place with 13 points.
Borussia got off to a good start and took the lead with their first chance after a remarkable attack. The strong Honorat played a one-two with Pléa, passed flat from the right into the middle and Cvancara pushed the ball over the goal line. The Czech center forward had replaced the injured Jordan Siebatcheu in the starting eleven and immediately thanked his coach.
The goal gave Gladbach confidence. Just two minutes after making it 1-0, Pléa forced Casteels into a brilliant save. The Belgian keeper, who had recently been absent due to abdominal muscle inflammation, played for the first time in over a month and just managed to claw a well-placed long-range shot from Pléa out of the corner.
The visitors did not play badly by any means, but repeatedly made unnecessary mistakes in their forward play. As a result, Wolfsburg often spoiled promising attacking opportunities themselves. Gladbach remained the more dangerous team. Casteels prevented Gladbach's second goal with a courageous run out against Cvancara after a steep pass (37').
And the goalkeeper remained the main protagonist - albeit involuntarily. He unintentionally passed the ball straight into Reitz's feet and the Gladbach shooting star kept his cool to extend the hosts' lead.
Things got wilder after the break. Wolfsburg's Jonas Wind failed to hit the post and shot just wide. At the other end, Manu Koné and Cvancara failed to take advantage of counter-attacking opportunities. Wolfsburg were actually the better team now, but Honorat made it 3:0 in the middle of a pressure phase for coach Niko Kovac's team. Casteels did not look good with the 27-year-old's powerful shot either.
The game was decided. Not much more came from Wolfsburg. The Gladbach fans celebrated loudly and were also able to cheer a fourth goal by Pléa.
Borussia Mönchengladbach's impressive victory over VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga was highlighted by a goal from Tomas Cvancara, Rocco Reitz, Franck Honorat, and Alassane Pléa, with Casteels' error contributing to Reitz's goal. Despite the loss, Wolfsbach continues to struggle in the league, now sharing the same points as Gladbach in ninth place.
Source: www.dpa.com
