Borussia Mönchengladbach beat VfB Stuttgart 3-2 on Friday, 23 October, collecting their first points after six defeats and avoiding a seven-game losing start.
A 22-metre shot by Ermedin Demirović in the fifth minute was deflected into the net by goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas, giving Stuttgart the lead.
After Joe Scally's equaliser in the 38th minute, Shuto Machino (51st minute) and Wael Mohya (66th minute) turned the match for Gladbach.
Ten players were unavailable for Gladbach, including Kevin Diks, who withdrew on Friday morning, and Isac Lidberg.
Borussia Mönchengladbach beat VfB Stuttgart 3-2 on Friday, 23 October, in the seventh round of the Bundesliga, collecting their first points of the season after six defeats. Before kick-off Gladbach were last in the table without a point, and a seventh straight defeat would have given them a unique league record for losing their opening seven games. Only Fortuna Düsseldorf (1991/92), Mainz (2020/21) and Bochum (2022/23) had lost six games to start a season and still earned points in the seventh. Seven defeats to open a season had never happened in the 63 years of the Bundesliga.
Stuttgart led after five minutes, when a 22-metre shot by Ermedin Demirović was deflected into his own net by goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas. It was the first real Stuttgart shot of the match, and Gladbach had already conceded 21 goals in the season before this game. Joe Scally equalised before half-time in the 38th minute with a spectacular heel finish, and the teams went in level at 1-1. Shuto Machino (51st minute) and Wael Mohya (66th minute) put Gladbach ahead after the break. Demirović pulled one back in the 83rd minute, although Blick gives the 84th minute for that goal.
Gladbach went into the match with ten unavailable players. Defensive leader Kevin Diks withdrew on Friday morning for private reasons, and Isac Lidberg was also missing, so Machino started as striker in his place. Alexander Blessin, who took over from Eugen Polanski, asked his players to push through a very difficult period.
“We have to go through the valley of tears.”
Sporting director Rouven Schröder admitted the situation was serious but rejected the idea of hiding behind the injuries.
“This is already precarious, but we don't want to look for excuses.”
Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeneß made six changes after a 1-1 draw with Atlético Madrid in the Champions League. His side had been impressive in Europe, but the defeat in the Bundesliga was its fifth league loss of the season. Stuttgart remain on six points in 14th place, and the hosts had controlled the early phase before the goal turned the match. The 3-2 result leaves them short of the expectations that came with their European form.
Gladbach now have three points and still occupy the bottom place in the table. Their next match is on Saturday, 31 October, against newly promoted SC Paderborn. Stuttgart travel to Leverkusen next and are under pressure ahead of that game. The win ends Gladbach's run of defeats, but the goals they conceded before this match show how much work remains.
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Borussia Mönchengladbach won 3-2 at VfB Stuttgart on Friday, 23 October, avoiding a Bundesliga record of seven straight defeats to open a season.
AI text based on reports by Blick.ch, SRF News, SAPO and other publishers. Published .