Borussia Mönchengladbach is on the way up in the Bundesliga. Seoane’s side had little trouble as they won 2-0 (2-0) late on Sunday against FC St. Pauli. Alassane Pléa (13th minute) and Tim Kleindienst (44th) scored the goals for the better Borussia team before the break. With this victory, Borussia climbed to sixth place in the table. St. Pauli remains in the relegation place.
“We have to control their offense,” St Paul’s coach Alexander Blesin told his men before the game at Borussia Park, which was sold out to a good 54,000 spectators. Borussia have not lost four games in a row – so BMG coach Gerardo Seoane left an unchanged eleven on the pitch.
Stormy Gladbach – Itakura lost, Score discussion
St. Pauli were happy that midfielder Philipp Treu could be back. The rail player should ensure more exercise on the outside. But of course: First of all, the “Kiez-Kicker” had to deal with a stormy start from Borussia. After ten minutes he almost hit Hamburg’s goal: Franck Honorat brought one of his always dangerous standards into the penalty area and St Pauli Gladbach’s central defender Ko Itakura was forgotten at the second post. He got the ball inside, but somehow the ball fell over the crossbar.
After the next corner the bell rang in the Hamburg goal. Once again Honorat was the source: Marvin Friedrich extended his cross and Alassane Pléa was free at the second post – he headed it in to make it 1-0 (13th minute).
St. Paul is far too harmless
Gladbach’s superiority was now defeated. Attack after attack rolled towards the Hamburg box – the only thing missing from the front was the consistency needed to score more goals. Lukas Ullrich failed with a long-range shot from Vasilj (24th), Kleindienst tried with a back heel (28th) – that was too much for the cabinet to put anything countable on the scoreboard. Gladbach, on the other hand, had no fear at the back; And the 2-0 also came shortly before the break: Kleindienst received a safe pass from Robin Hack and headed the ball past Vasilj into the net (44th).
The game had clearly taken its course before the break – and nothing changed after the break. Borussia presented themselves much more confident on the ball and more technically sophisticated than the guests from the north. There was little or nothing to be seen of St. Paul. It was only possible to get an insight into the quality
A controlled performance by Gladbach in the second 45 minutes was enough. The Hamburgers had no chance to score. This was easily achieved with solid defense – but that didn’t mean much fun for the spectators.
Gladbach only do the bare minimum
In any case, there was no chance of scoring until the final stage – not on either side. Only Jackson Irvine’s header in the 87th minute was dangerous – that was all. Gladbach could be fine. With the win, the team remained unbeaten for the fifth game in a row – a short streak of success.
“We can’t relax now. We have to stick with it now,” said Tim Kleindienst. “We finished it firmly and defended everything,” said the attacker. Saint Pauli coach Blesin said: “We started the game well. Then we slept well. After that we were too destructive.”
Gladbach in Freiburg, St. Pauli against Kiel
Mönchengladbach travel to Freiburg next weekend (November 30, 3:30 p.m.). The day before, St. Pauli welcomes Holstein Kiel in the basement duel of the league (November 29, 8:30 pm).
Borussia Mönchengladbach for your calendar
FC St. Pauli for your calendar
How can other Bundesliga teams emulate Borussia Mönchengladbach’s defensive performance in their upcoming matches?
Time.news Editor: Welcome to the Time.news Express! Today, we’re diving into the exciting world of Bundesliga football, and who better to join us than Dr. Matthias Klein, a noted sports analyst and football expert. Thanks for being here, Matthias!
Dr. Matthias Klein: Thank you for having me! It’s always a pleasure to discuss football, especially when teams are as dynamic as Borussia Mönchengladbach right now.
Editor: Absolutely! This weekend, Borussia Mönchengladbach secured a significant 2-0 victory against FC St. Pauli, pushing them into sixth place in the Bundesliga. What stood out to you the most about their performance?
Dr. Klein: Gladbach’s performance was marked by tactical discipline and offensive cohesion. Their first goal was a classic example of capitalizing on set pieces, with Alassane Pléa’s header highlighting their offensive prowess early in the match. They confidently maintained pressure on St. Pauli, demonstrating their ability to control the game from the outset.
Editor: Speaking of control, St. Pauli’s coach Alexander Blesin emphasized the need to manage Gladbach’s offense. Was there a point where they looked like they might threaten that strategy?
Dr. Klein: Well, St. Pauli did have a few moments of potential, especially when midfielder Philipp Treu returned. The team tried to create chances, but their attempts were largely ineffective. Gladbach’s defense was resolute, and moments like Ko Itakura’s close chance—where he missed by just hitting the crossbar—showed that they could create opportunities, yet consistency in execution was lacking.
Editor: That’s true. It seems that Gladbach’s defense didn’t allow St. Pauli many meaningful chances. In the second half, Gladbach seemed to exert even more control over the match. What changes did you notice?
Dr. Klein: Absolutely! In the second half, Gladbach shifted to a more controlled style. They were not only more confident with the ball but also demonstrated better technical skills. Instead of scrambling to score, they dictated the game’s tempo, forcing St. Pauli to stay on the back foot. It was clear that the visitors simply could not match Gladbach’s intensity.
Editor: Tim Kleindienst scored the second goal right before halftime. How crucial was that moment in setting the tone for the second half?
Dr. Klein: That goal was pivotal for several reasons. Scoring just before halftime often demoralizes the opponent, and it can energize the scoring team. It gave Gladbach a cushion and allowed them to play more comfortably in the second half. The pressure was heavily on St. Pauli to make something happen, but they were unable to respond effectively.
Editor: With this victory, Gladbach now sits at sixth in the table. How do you project their trajectory for the remainder of the season?
Dr. Klein: If Gladbach can maintain this level of performance and keep their key players healthy, I believe they have a strong chance at securing European competition spots. Their current form, combined with the cohesion they displayed, suggests they can challenge for a top-four finish, though consistency will be key.
Editor: Fantastic insights, Matthias! As we wrap up, what do you think other teams could learn from Gladbach’s performance against St. Pauli?
Dr. Klein: Other teams should focus on the importance of tactical discipline and creating scoring opportunities from set pieces. Also, the ability to maintain confidence while controlling the ball—and therefore the game—is crucial, especially when facing opponents desperate for points in relegation battles. Gladbach showcased that brilliantly.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Klein, for your expert analysis! It’s always enlightening to discuss tactical intricacies and player performances with you. We appreciate your time today.
Dr. Klein: Thank you for having me! I look forward to our next discussion about the beautiful game.