Martin Harnik scores against Gladbach.

Success in Borussia-Park

VfB came back from an early 0-1 to secure all three points for the fourth time this season with a 2-1 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach. Martin Harnik equalized and a Roel Brouwers own-goal handed the points to the visitors.

With Georg Niedermeier unavailable through illness, trainer Bruno Labbadia had to make one change to his back line, with Mexican defender Maza joining Serdar Tasci at the heart of the defence. Cristian Molinaro started on the left of the back four, with William Kvist returning to form a midfield trio along with Zdravko Kuzmanovic and Christian Gentner.

Two goals in 80 seconds

Sven Ulreich was forced to make a save from Patrick Hermann early on but, with seven minutes played, the VfB keeper could do little as captain Martin Stranzl slammed a drop-kick into the bottom right corner.

Within 80 seconds of the setback though, the VfB fateful were cheering again when Martin Harnik rose at the back post to head home a Molinaro delivery from the left to make it 1-1.

Serdar Tasci in action during the game.

VfB turn the tie

The second half began promisingly for VfB, with Christian Gentner first bringing a save from Marc-André ter Stegen and then having his rebound cleared off the line by substitute Roel Brouwers (48’).

With just over an hour played, the VfB fans thought their side had earned a penalty when Traoré went down under a challenge from Juan Arango but the referee wasn’t impressed and booked the Guinean international for a dive.

Bosnian international Vedad Ibisevic twice tried his luck, first missing the target and then being denied by ter Stegen but it was a Borussia defender who was eventually to put VfB back in front. The defender stuck out a leg to block a Kuzmanovic delivery but sent the ball looping into the top corner of the Gladbach net to make it 2-1 for VfB.

For the remainder of the tie, VfB defended their lead stoutly to secure all three points for the fourth time this season.