Interim Borussia Monchengladbach manager Andre Schubert fell to his first loss on Wednesday night, as his side were beaten late at home by Manchester City in the Champion’s League.
Raffael had a penalty saved by Joe Hart before Lars Stindl put the home side ahead from Julian Korb’s pinpoint cross. An own goal from Andreas Christensen followed by a last-gasp penalty from Sergio Aguero was the difference as City claimed their first points of this European campaign.
As Monchengladbach sit rooted to the bottom of Group D, Outside 90’s David Jordan takes us through what we learned from this clash.
Stindl & Raffael form Schubert’s best partnership
Despite his 10 million euro price-tag, former Leverkusen striker Josip Drmic has hardly been spotted in a Gladbach kit, and remained an unused substitute here for Schubert.
The Swiss international has made only seven appearances this season, averaging around 30 minutes per game and is yet to find the back of the net for his new side. However, it has appeared not just to be lacklustre form keeping Drmic out of the side recently, with attacking midfielder Lars Stindl finding a new role as Raffael’s partner in attacking crime.
As a duo, the two lead the line of Gladbach pressing high up the pitch, while their strong dribbling skills and finishing lead to good use of the ball. With results having begun to look stronger since the partnership was properly tested, Schubert is likely to stick with it, and Drmic will need to fight long and hard to get his place back.
Monchengladbach suffer penalty fate once more
It is genuinely hard to comprehend the number of penalties that Borussia Monchengladbach have given away this season. The total now stands at four in two Champions League matches after the debacle against Sevilla, while in the league the number is also staggering.
Fabian Johnson was the guilty party on this occasion, however it is beginning to feel like a team-wide lack of discipline while defending, and nine penalties in ten competitive matches appears to back that sentiment. With a key period of their European and League sorties coming up shortly, it is high time that Gladbach find their discipline.
City unconvincing but back in contention
The manner of City’s win here belied the score line, as the home side spurned a number of first-half chances to go ahead. In truth, Joe Hart did well to keep City in the game.
Manchester City have now kept just ONE clean sheet in their last 17 Champions League games. Harsh on this guy… pic.twitter.com/fvF43tM2U5
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 30, 2015
Further chances to Raffael continued to give Gladbach hope however a Nicholas Otamendi shot deflected in off Christensen to pull the team level. Manuel Pellegrini may not care too much about the nature of the win in their first away – a result as good as any.
With their next match a home visit from Sevilla, City will be hoping to capitalise and begin a run of form, before they need to travel to runners-up Juventus, where points will be hard to come by.
Group D tight but Gladbach lag behind
Six points behind Juventus and three behind both City and Sevilla, Monchengladbach have had the worst possible start to their Champions League campaign. After their mammoth season during 2014/15 which saw them get back into the competition, it has been a disappointing showing thus far.
Juventus however are showing no signs of slowing down in Europe despite poor league form, with two wins in two matches to top the group so far. City and Sevilla have a win apiece, both having won their matches against Gladbach, and the German side risk becoming the group’s whipping boys.
This weekend, Manchester City look to get their Premier League campaign back on track after two consecutive losses as they welcome Newcastle to the Etihad Stadium, while Die Fohlen need to tune up for a crunch Bundesliga clash with Wolfsburg.
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