Goal spectacle with a happy ending for BVB: 4:2 over Gladbach
Weak start, strong reaction: Borussia Dortmund averted the impending autumn crisis for the time being with a great deal of passion. After a questionable performance of late and three Bundesliga games without a win, coach Edin Terzic's team managed a spectacular 4:2 (3:2) in the western classic against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Even an early 2-0 deficit thanks to goals from Rocco Reitz (13) and Manu Kone (28) did not throw BVB off their stride this time.
Marcel Sabitzer (30), Niclas Füllkrug (32), Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (45) and Donyell Malen (90+7) turned the game around in front of 81,365 spectators at a sold-out Signal Iduna Park on Saturday. The success noticeably improved the mood one day before the general meeting and boosted confidence for the Champions League appearance at AC Milan on Tuesday.
In contrast, the visitors' upward trend has come to an end. After four competitive matches without defeat, Gladbach once again came away empty-handed in Dortmund - as they have done in their last ten matches at the same venue.
Early deficit
"We don't just want to win the game today, we also want to give something back to our spectators," coach Terzic announced on Sky shortly before kick-off, referring to the poor performance in Stuttgart. However, the starting eleven, which had been changed in four positions, found it difficult to get into the game. As early as the 3rd minute, Gregor Kobel prevented Luca Netz from going behind with a shot.
Just under ten minutes later, however, the Dortmund goalkeeper also had no chance. A simple through pass from Alassane Plea to Reitz outsmarted the BVB defense. U21 international Reitz finished off the attack with a low shot into the far corner.
The early deficit caused BVB problems and increased the insecurity that had developed in Stuttgart. A goal by Plea to give the visitors a supposed 2-0 lead was disallowed due to a close offside call. Nevertheless, Gladbach kept the pressure on and shocked BVB once again. Kone left his opponents Mats Hummels and Julian Ryerson standing and scored from 14 meters.
Dortmund catch up
BVB only woke up after that and responded with great passion in the pouring rain. The deficit was equalized within three minutes. First of all, Austrian international Sabitzer drop-kicked a cross from Julian Brandt into the opposition goal. Shortly afterwards, Bynoe-Gitten, who had been called up to replace Karim Adeyemi who was ill, headed in Füllkrug's goal. The goalscorer's subsequent shot from 14 meters into the far corner brought Dortmund back into the match.
But that was not enough. BVB struck again shortly before the break. After a misplaced pass from Kone, the ball passed through Reus and Füllkrug to young star Bynoe-Gittens, who fired his team into the lead with a low shot.
Unlike the first half, the second half began less wildly. With plenty of possession, BVB tried to calm the game down and even created two chances through Füllkrug (52') and Bynoe-Gittens (54'). Reus' free-kick (56) hit the crossbar and the 4:2 was particularly close. The hosts' lack of chances encouraged Gladbach to attack more. But despite their best efforts, the visitors were unsuccessful. Instead, Malen scored the final goal for BVB with his counter-attack.
In the midst of their struggle, Borussia Dortmund managed to turn the tide against Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga, scoring four goals to secure a 4:2 victory. This crucial win for BVB came after a questionable performance and three consecutive league matches without a win.
Despite an early 2-0 lead due to goals from Rocco Reitz and Manu Kone, Gladbach's upward trend was halted in Dortmund, as they have failed to win in their last ten matches at the Signal Iduna Park.
Source: www.dpa.com
