UCL – What We Learned – Sevilla 3 Borussia Monchengladbach 0

UCL – What We Learned – Sevilla 3 Borussia Monchengladbach 0 [VIDEO]

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Borussia Monchengladbach received a harsh lesson about European football on Tuesday night, as they were reduced to rubble by a Sevilla team who ran 3-0 winners.

Goals from Kevin Gameiro and Ever Banega from the penalty spot, as well as Yehven Konoplyanka, resigned Lucien Favre and Gladbach to a fifth straight defeat in competitive matches, as they endure a horror start to the new season.

Sevilla made the most of the German side’s indiscipline as they gave away three penalties for unnecessary and rash fouls, although Kevin Gameiro’s second effort from the spot hit the bar, reducing the damage to some degree. Ahead of a winnable game against FC Koln this weekend, Gladbach must sorely trudge on, while Sevilla will march confidently into their next league clash against Celta Vigo.

Outside90’s David Jordan takes a look at what was learned from the first Champions League group match.

Rude welcome to the Champions League for Die Fohlen

On a disappointing night in Spain, Borussia Monchengladbach received a rude welcome to the UEFA Champions League. After all the excitement and hype surrounding their third place finish and subsequent qualification last season, it was a resounding reminder of the high level of European competition.

Favre’s side were outclassed by a merciless Sevilla. With games against English giants Manchester City and last-season’s finalists Juventus to come next, the signs are not altogether positive.

What has happened to Borussia Monchengladbach?

Expectations were high for this season at Borussia Park; in the Champions League, an arguably strengthened squad and a strong season to build on.

However, after four straight league losses and now this result in Europe, eyebrows are beginning to lift on those looking from the outside in. The side has so far failed to gel and work together in the same way they did last season; after losing only six league matches all of last campaign they have now lost their first four, conceding a staggering 11 goals.

So what has gone wrong? The side strengthened more than they were weakened, but new man Josip Drmic, who was supposed to replace the outgoing Max Kruse, has failed to impress so far, and has left Favre using Thorgan Hazard as a striker. The Belgian and fellow forward Raffael don’t appear to be a functioning partnership as yet, with further evidence of this against Sevilla, where they were often isolated and unable to lead the counter-attacks that Favre’s side so desperately needed to utilise. This lack of attacking danger is something that Favre needs to fix, with only two goals for the side this season, or the risk of relegation is going to become a genuine danger.

Life without Bacca looks pretty sweet for Sevilla

Following Sevilla’s Europa League win last season, and the individual brilliance of Carlos Bacca with the Colombian danger man eventually sold to Milan in the summer. Many questioned Sevilla’s ability to function as effectively without him, such was his influence, however a first up European performance such as this will put those misgivings to bed.

The ever-dangerous Kevin Gameiro, and fellow forward Vitolo both tormented the Gladbach defence from the outset, with Vitolo striking the post in just the fifth minute. Gameiro then converted a penalty won by Vitolo, before hitting the bar with another penalty won by the same player. Gamerio himself later won a third penalty, as the discipline of Die Fohlen began to fade quickly.

With a bench comprising Yehven Konoplyanka (84’ goal), Ciro Immobile and Fernando Llorente to name a few, Sevilla are not short on attacking options, and after a performance like today, their only concern is how far they can push the other teams in their group.

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