Match summary:
The boys from Cannstatt were forced onto the back foot early on as Gladbach began forcefully, putting VfB under pressure. Nevertheless, it was the visitors who took the lead in the 21st minute thanks to Deniz Undav’s strike, although Gladbach equalised through Alassane Plea a short while later. Ermedin Demirovic struck twice (57′, 61′) in the second half to secure the points for VfB.
Goals:
21st minute: A neat, purposeful attack from VfB, which sees Josha Vagnoman power down the right wing before crossing for Jamie Leweling, who shoots from just inside the area. Gladbach goalkeeper Jonas Omlin can only parry the ball, allowing Undav to pounce on the rebound and smash in the opening goal of the game.
27th minute: With VfB struggling to clear their lines, Gladbach’s Kevin Stöger feeds Plea, who heads in the equaliser from close range.
57th minute: A long ball from Alexander Nübel makes its way to Fabian Rieder, via Undav. The Switzerland international skips past Luca Netz and crosses for Demirovic to slot in and restore VfB’s lead.
61st minute: Rieder fizzes a corner towards the back post. Jeff Chabot and Demirovic both rise to meet it, but the latter player gets to the ball first and leaves the goalkeeper wrong-footed with his header, putting VfB 3-1 up!
Special mentions:
Dan-Axel Zagadou made his long-waited comeback from injury in this game. The French defender, whose last Bundesliga appearance was at the end of January this year, was substituted on in the 83rd minute.
Vagnoman made his first start of the season following a foot injury. He made his comeback as a half-time substitute two weeks ago against Mainz.