Plea ends home drought and leads Gladbach to victory

Borussia Mönchengladbach won the big-point game against RB Leipzig even without the suspended goalscorer Tim Kleindienst and continued the Saxons' away woes. The team from the Lower Rhine, who had recently failed to win three home games in a row, beat their rivals, coached by former Borussia coach Marco Rose, 1:0 (0:0) in the Bundesliga and moved up to fifth place, at least for one day.

In front of 52,382 spectators at Borussia-Park, Alassane Plea (56th minute) scored the winner for the hosts. Saxony, on the other hand, remained without a win for the seventh away game in a row four days before the cup semi-final at VfB Stuttgart.

Many absentees for Leipzig

Leipzig's head coach, who worked at Gladbach from 2019 to 2021, had to improvise a lot on his return to Borussia Park. In addition to five injured players, the 48-year-old also had to replace his goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi and midfield strategist Kevin Kampl at short notice.

For Gulacsi, 23-year-old Maarten Vandevoordt came in for his third league game of the season. Leipzig's goalkeeper, who was quickly kept busy, also had to cope with the roaring whistles from the Borussia fans when his team had possession of the ball.

Home debut for Pereira Cardoso

Young keeper Tiago Pereira Cardoso also made his third Bundesliga appearance for the hosts. The 18-year-old Luxembourger from the U19 team deputized for the injured Jonas Omlin and Moritz Nicolas. In Rocco Reitz and Frank Honorat, two regulars who had recently been sidelined through injury returned to the starting eleven.

This had a positive effect on Borussia's approach. Honorat created a lot of danger down the right wing with his pace and passing. U21 international Reitz worked as usual in defensive midfield.

However, without the suspended Kleindienst, who Tomas Cvancara was unable to replace, there was a lack of penetration in attack. Leipzig's defensive back five allowed few dangerous situations. In addition, the hosts always had to watch out for the dangerous RB attacking stars Loïs Openda and Xavi Simons, who are always good for a goal with their individual class.

Tenth goal of the season for Plea

In the second half, Gladbach increased the pressure and took the lead through Plea's header after a series of opportunities. Before that, Vandevoordt in the Leipzig goal could only deflect a direct shot from Ko Itakura in front, and then the Frenchman was on hand to score his tenth goal of the season. In the 73rd minute, Borussia central defender Nico Elvedi was unlucky with a header that hit the inside of the post. Plea also hit the far post in the closing stages.