Borussia Mönchengladbach secured their first win of the season in front of their own fans. However, against newly promoted 1. FC Heidenheim, the score was 2-1 (1-1).
Alassane Pléa (4th) and Heidenheim’s Jonas Föhrenbach (ET, 52nd) and Eren Dinkci (38th) were responsible for the goals. Thanks to the threesome, Gladbach moved past Heidenheim in the table and are now eleventh. Heidenheim slipped down to 13th place.
To the live ticker: Gladbach – Heidenheim Arrow right 9th matchday Arrow right
Pléa’s early lead
Gladbach got off to a lightning start. After just four minutes the foals were in the lead. After a corner, the ball came to Pléa, the Frenchman made a hook and shot with the pick. FCH goalkeeper Kevin Müller was already beaten, but Theuerkauf cleared the ball. At first the game continued, but referee Robert Hartmann received a signal: the ball was behind the line – 1-0 for Gladbach.
Compensation out of the blue
The Borussia team carried on cheerfully, had everything under control and created many good chances. The only drawback: There were no further goals scored for the hosts against the hitherto harmless Heidenheimers.
The equalizer was all the more surprising: after a corner for Borussia, things happened very quickly. A long ball to Kleindienst, the Heidenheim striker hit Joe Scally with a pawn trick. Then his ball was inadequately cleared and Eren Dinkci thanked him with a well-placed shot from a distance to make it 1-1. The guests equalized from a chance. Gladbach was served.
Gladbach with momentum from the cabin
However, Gladbach quickly recovered from the equalizer. After the change, a similar constellation as at the beginning of the game: This time, however, Borussia needed seven minutes to take the lead again. Another corner, Pléa was there again. However, in this action it was Heidenheim’s Jonas Föhrenbach who, under pressure from the Frenchman, maneuvered the ball over his own goal line.
Gerardo Seoane’s team was now careful to protect, especially at the back, and not let anything happen. They did that well for the most part, but also needed the skills of goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas, Jonas Omlin’s deputy, who made a great save to clear Kleindienst’s header for a corner in the 70th minute.
Heidenheim power play without success
The Heidenheimers now became more agile and powerful and now showed the offensive actions that had made them miss for more than an hour. Gladbach was only at the back and let the newcomers have their way. Ultimately, the home team survived the power play and celebrated the longed-for victory.
Gladbach in Freiburg, Heidenheim welcomes Stuttgart
Borussia Mönchengladbach will now face Freiburg on matchday 10 (Saturday, November 4th, 2023 at 3:30 p.m.). A day later, the Heidenheimers host VfB Stuttgart for the Southwest duel (5:30 p.m.).
