Borussia end winless away run with 3-1 victory in Wolfsburg

Matchday 7 in the Bundesliga saw Borussia Mönchengladbach claim a long awaited 3-1 win over VfL Wolfsburg, as goals from Breel Embolo, Jonas Hofmann and Joe Scally earned them both their first away points of the season and their first victory in Wolfsburg in 18 years.

The almost 13,000 fans at the Volkswagen-Arena saw the Foals fly out of the traps, with a Breel Embolo bicycle kick (5’) and Jonas Hofmann’s composed finish (7’) putting them 2-0 up in no time. Wolfsburg responded well though, and Luca Waldschmidt’s somewhat fortunate goal after 25 minutes brought the hosts back within one at half time. The Wolves continued to gather momentum in the second 45, but couldn’t create a decisive chance to equalise. A second yellow card for Maxence Lacroix after he fouled Embolo in the box tipped the game more in Gladbach’s favour, although Lars Stindl couldn’t convert the penalty. Fortunately, Yann Sommer was able to keep the Wolves at bay, before Joe Scally’s 95th minute goal wrapped up the three points.

TEAM NEWS

Head coach Adi Hütter made just one change to the side that started the 1-0 win over Borussia Dortmund, with Tony Jantschke dropping to the bench instead of Jordan Bayer. Goalkeeper Yann Sommer was protected by a back-three of Beyer, Matthias Ginter and Nico Elvedi, with Joe Scally and Luca Netz taking up wing-back positions. Denis Zakaria and Manu Koné teamed up in midfield, while Jonas Hofmann, Lars Stindl and Breel Embolo formed a three-pronged attack.

Borussia were without Marcus Thuram (knee), Stefan Lainer (broken ankle), Mamadou Doucouré (Achilles) and Ramy Bensebaini (foot) through injury. Manu Koné also had to come off after around an hour with a knock.

FIRST-HALF HIGHLIGHTS

3’: A free-kick from deep finds Weghorst at the far post and his first-time shot is well saved by Sommer.

5’: Gladbach lead! Hofmann’s free-kick finds Zakaria at the edge of the box and although he doesn’t strike the ball cleanly, the shot bounces up perfectly for Embolo to apply the finishing touch with a stunning bicycle kick. 1-0 to Gladbach.

7’: A quickfire Borussia brace! Embolo shrugs off his man on the touchline and sends Hofmann in behind. The Germany international knocks the ball past the on-rushing Casteels and finishes into the empty net. 2-0 to Gladbach.

11’: A Wolfsburg corner eludes everyone and runs through to Mbabu, whose shot flies high over the target.

25’: A goal back for the Wolves. Baku drills in a cross that hits Ginter, then Lukebakio, then Elvedi, before landing perfectly for Waldschmidt to smash home. Wolfsburg trail just 2-1 now.

37’: Embolo feeds Hofmann who unleashes a shot on target, but Gerhardt throws himself in the way at the last second to deflect the ball behind for a corner.

39’: The ball pops up for Embolo in the box and his shot from a tight angle hits the post before Casteels is able to mop up.

SECOND-HALF HIGHLIGHTS

51’: Koné brilliantly dribbles past three Wolfsburg defenders to work space for a shot just inside the box, but Casteels is able to make the save.

54’: Lukebakio’s fake shot tricks Elvedi, leaving him with just Sommer to beat, however, the Switzerland goalkeeper makes a fine save to maintain Borussia’s lead.

62’: Arnold’s effort from distance is comfortable enough for Sommer.

76’: Penalty for Borussia! Embolo drives into the box and is brought down by Lacroix, who is shown a second yellow card. Wolfsburg down to ten men.

78’: Stindl steps up to the spot-kick, but Casteels guesses the right way and is able to make a relatively easy save.

87’: Plea lays the ball off to Herrmann on the right-hand side of the box. His shot is too central though and Casteels can parry it away.

90+2’: Waldschmidt gets a low shot away in a crowded penalty area, but Sommer is alert and is quickly down to his right and holds onto the ball.

90+5’: That’s game over! Scally heads Sommer’s long ball forward on the halfway line and is able to chase the loose ball down himself before a Wolfsburg defender gets there. The American keeps his cool and picks his spot for his first professional goal. 3-1 to Gladbach.

MATCH FACTS

Wolfsburg: Casteels – Gerhardt (46’ Roussillon), Bornauw (46’ Brooks), Lacroix, Mbabu – Arnold, Guilavogui (79’ Ginczek) – Baku (79’ Philipp), Lukebakio (66’ Nmecha), Waldschmidt – Weghorst

Borussia: Sommer – Beyer, Elvedi, Ginter – Netz (58’ Herrmann), Koné (60’ Kramer), Zakaria, Scally – Stindl (82’ Plea), Hofmann – Embolo // Unused subs: Sippel, Jantschke, Bénes, Wolf, Neuhaus, Bennetts

Goals: 0-1 Embolo (5’), 0-2 Hofmann (7’), 1-2 Waldschmidt (25’), 1-3 Scally (90+5’)

Attendance: 12,845

Yellow cards: Bornauw, Baku, Waldschmidt, Lacroix, Weghorst, Roussillon – Stindl, Zakaria, Beyer

Red cards: Lacroix (76’)

Referee: Frank Willenborg (Osnabrück)

Jordan Beyer was the only new face in the starting XI
Breel Embolo put the Foals into an early lead
Manu Koné featured in the starting line-up once again, although injury forced him off after an hour
Joe Scally scored his first professional goal in second-half stoppage time

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