Borussia Mönchengladbach prevented VfB Stuttgart from having the best first half of the Bundesliga season in their history with a “double hack”.
The ice-cold Fohlenelf won a racy game 3:1 (2:0) on Sunday evening, but also had a lot of luck. The absence of goalscorer Serhou Guirassy once again made itself felt at third-placed VfB.
Robin Hack (1st/19th) scored his first Bundesliga goals for Borussia, who remained unbeaten at home for the eighth competitive match in a row. Jordan (90.+1) increased the lead. The 1:0 after 20 seconds was the quickest Bundesliga goal since February 15, 2019. VfB only managed to tie the scores in the meantime through Josha Vagnoman (55′) and ended their outstanding first half of the season with 34 points – only in the 1983/84 and 2003/04 championship seasons were they one more.
Guirassy was once again sorely missed by the visitors. The Bundesliga’s second-highest scorer with 17 goals will start the Africa Cup with Guinea on Monday. Guirassy had only missed VfB completely in two games in the first half of the season – both of which were also lost.
It started with a bang in front of 53,429 fans: many of the spectators had not even sat down after the minute’s silence for Franz Beckenbauer when the ball was already in the goal. Rocco Reitz passed to Hack after the kick-off, who finished from a half-right position into the far corner.
VfB coach Sebastien Hoeneß had to do without four players due to the continental championships in Asia and Africa, but VfB were still the more active team after the cold shower. Borussia let the Swabians come, but were a real threat on the counter-attack. A poor clearance from goalkeeper Alexander Nübel led to the second goal, this time Alassane Plea set up Hack. It was the ex-Bielefeld man’s first Bundesliga brace.
After the false start, Stuttgart attacked almost non-stop and barely allowed the home side to breathe. Only the finishing was lacking: Deniz Undav, who is on the verge of making the national team, first hit the far post in front of DFB sporting director Rudi Völler (31′), then narrowly missed (36′). Gladbach’s lead at the break was thoroughly flattering.
Hoeneß switched to a back three for the second half, VfB kept the pressure on – and finally reaped the rewards. Vagnoman scored with feeling into the far corner. This was the start of an onslaught by Stuttgart, with Gladbach hardly able to relieve the pressure. Jordan redeemed Borussia shortly before the end
