Without top scorer Serhou Guirassy, the Bundesliga surprise team VfB Stuttgart stumbled at the end of the first half of the season. After two goals from Robin Hack (1st and 19th minute) and a goal from joker Jordan Siebatcheu (90th + 1), Borussia Mönchengladbach defeated the third-placed team 3-1 on Sunday. Josha Vagnoman (55th) only managed to score the next goal for the Swabians in front of 53,429 spectators.
Despite another defeat at their former favorite opponent, Stuttgart remain on course for the Champions League with 34 points after 17 games. Borussia moved up to tenth place in the rankings with 20 points.
The guests clearly noticed the absence of 17-time goalscorer Guirassy, who is with Guinea at the Africa Cup of Nations. Coach Sebastian Hoeneß’s team also currently has to do without Silas Wamangituka (also African Cup), Hiroki Ito and Woo-yeong Jeong (both Asian Cup).
Hack scores after 21 seconds
After just 21 seconds, the VfB defense was taken by surprise when Hack neatly completed a pass from Gladbach’s whiz kid Rocco Reitz into the far corner. Stuttgart goalkeeper Alexander Nübel was powerless against the powerful shot from Gladbach’s 25-year-old left winger.
As a result, the Gladbachers left the guests completely in control of the game, but remained aggressive and were significantly more dangerous than VfB in some transition moments. The Stuttgart team were shocked again by Hack after just under 20 minutes. VfB captain Waldemar Anton, who had extended his contract until the summer of 2027 before the game, unfortunately had the offside canceled shortly beforehand. It was the first time in Hack’s career that he scored two goals in a Bundesliga game.
Until the break, the Swabians continued to struggle with the amount of possession they had. VfB only had their first real chance after just over half an hour when striker Deniz Undav was unable to take advantage of a mistake by Julian Weigl in the build-up and put the ball on the outside post. Gladbach captain Weigl later received his fifth yellow card and will have to sit out next weekend against FC Augsburg.
With the 2-0 lead behind them, it was easier for the Gladbachers, who had to do without their regular defenders Ko Itakura (Asian Cup) and Maximilian Wöber (suspended), at least until the break. Hoeneß made two changes during the break: Jamie Leweling and Anthony Rouault came into the game and the guests increased the pressure.
The Frenchman Rouault failed shortly after the break due to Moritz Nicolas, who reacted brilliantly, in the Gladbach goal. After 55 minutes, the 26-year-old was also powerless against Vagnoman’s shot. The Gladbachers found little relief now, but defended passionately. In stoppage time they even managed to make it 3-1, meaning Borussia finally took the lead again.
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In the end there was once again a Stuttgart defeat on the Lower Rhine. Although VfB has not won more often against any other club in the Bundesliga, it has only managed one win in the past ten years.
