The first leg of Borussia Mönchengladbach's UEFA Champions League last-16 tie against Manchester City ended in a 2-0 defeat on Wednesday night.
The Puskas Arena was the venue for the Foals' home leg against a side on an 18-game winning run in all competitions, and it was clear to see why from the start. Borussia were pressed almost to the byline and struggled to escape with the ball, leading to the Premier League leaders winning possession high up the pitch. A failed clearance produced the opening goal after 29 minutes, with Joao Cancelo sending the ball back into the box where Bernardo Silva was able to head it in. On the few occasions Gladbach managed to work through City's press, the final ball fell short of creating a goalscoring opportunity.
Gladbach improved a little after the break and Alassane Plea almost scored a scorpion kick reminiscent of Valentino Lazaro's against Leverkusen, but the ball dropped narrowly wide of the post. Just as the Foals were enjoying their best phase of the match, Manchester City struck at the other end. Again it was from a Cancelo cross into the box, this time headed down by Bernardo for Gabriel Jesus to tuck in and make it 2-0 (63'). Borussia visibly tired in their efforts to offer a fightback, but were almost handed a lifeline with the final kick of the game, only for substitute Hannes Wolf to be kept out by Ederson after the Austrian had been sent through on goal by Rodrigo's wayward pass.
TEAM NEWS
Marco Rose made just one change to the side beaten by Mainz on the weekend, with Denis Zakaria coming into the side instead of Valentino Lazaro. He line up alongside Christoph Kramer and Florian Neuhaus in midfield, with Jonas Hofmann joining Alassane Plea and Lars Stindl in attack. The boss had almost a full squad to choose from for the match, with only Torben Müsel (fitness) and Famana Quizera (shoulder) currently unavailable.
MATCH FACTS
Borussia: Sommer – Lainer (63' Lazaro), Ginter, Elvedi, Bensebaini – Kramer, Zakaria – Neuhaus, Stindl (74' Embolo), Hofmann (87' Wolf) – Plea (63' Thuram)
Man City: Ederson – Walker, Ruben Dias, Laporte, Joao Cancelo – Rodri, Gündogan, Foden (80' Torres) – Bernardo Silva, Sterling (69' Mahrez) – Jesus (80' Aguero)
Goals: 0-1 Bernardo Silva (29'), 0-2 Jesus (65')
Yellow cards: -
Referee: Artur Dias (Portugal)
Attendance: 0
