Borussia Mönchengladbach avoided the worst start in Bundesliga history on Saturday, securing a 3-2 victory against VfB Stuttgart to claim their first points of the campaign after six consecutive defeats.
Gladbach Overcomes Ten Absences in Stuttgart
Alexander Blessin’s side traveled to Stuttgart missing ten professional players, including defender Kevin Diks, who was a late withdrawal prior to kickoff. “Es hilft nicht, zu lamentieren”, Blessin told Sky before the match, acknowledging that his depleted squad would need to suffer and push past their limits. The early stages tested that resolve directly when Ermedin Demirovic capitalized on a mistake by Gladbach goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas to put the hosts ahead in the 5th minute.
Tactical Shifts Spark the Visitor Comeback
VfB Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeneß rotated heavily following a 1-1 draw against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League, making six changes to his starting lineup and resting key figures such as Deniz Undav and Jeff Chabot. Gladbach responded before the break when Joe Scally steered a shot from Zento Uno home with his heel in the 38th minute. Shuto Machino then turned the match in the 51st minute by finishing a cross from Wael Mohya, who had struck the crossbar just before halftime. Mohya extended the lead to 3-1 in the 66th minute by holding his composure inside the penalty area.
Late Pressure Tests the Deficit
Hoeneß introduced Deniz Undav, Bilal El Khannouss, and Jamie Leweling simultaneously while shifting to a back three in search of an equalizer. Demirovic scored his second of the match with a header in the 83rd minute to cut the deficit. In stoppage time, Nicolas preserved the three points by blocking an effort from El Khannouss. The result lifts Gladbach off the bottom while leaving Stuttgart with six points through seven matches.
