Eagles lose out in six-goal thriller
In a gripping encounter at Borussia-Park, goals from Danny da Costa and Martin Hinteregger proved insufficient for the Eagles, who will likely rue the chances they spurned while just 2-1 down.
Personnel: Sole adjustment
Head coach Adi Hütter made just one change to the side that overcame Royal Standard Club de Liège in the UEFA Europa League, bringing in Gelson Fernandes to replace the injured Mijat Gacinovic. With Bas Dost and Andre Silva also sidelined, Goncalo Paciencia was again the only recognised striker in the starting XI, although he was ably supported by Daichi Kamada. At just over 28 years of age, this was SGE’s oldest line-up of the season.
First half: Double blow
The Eagles started well, defending stoutly and breaking swiftly, and they created an excellent chance for Kamada in the ninth minute, but the Japanese livewire could not make contact with Filip Kostic’s tempting cross. Borussia began to dominate possession, and they came close to taking the lead in the 20th minute, but Fernandes was perfectly positioned to clear Denis Zakaria’s goal-bound effort off the line. It was a sign of things to come for the Foals, who went ahead shortly afterwards, an unmarked Marcus Thuram slotting home Breel Embolo’s cross from the right. Just as it appeared that Eintracht had weathered the storm and would only have a one-goal deficit to chase in the second period, the home side doubled their advantage, Oscar Wendt pouncing to slam the ball past Frederik Rönnow on the stroke of half-time.
Second half: Back in it
Eintracht upped the intensity after the break, as they went in search of a way back into the match. That lifeline came in the 59th minute, when Kamada brilliantly controlled Kostic’s deep cross, dribbled to the byline and fed Da Costa, who tapped the ball into the net. There then followed a period of acute Eagles pressure, during which Kamada in particular had Yann Sommer scrambling on several occasions. When it seemed like an equaliser was inevitable, though, Gladbach restored their two-goal lead through Nico Elvedi’s looping header. The visitors hit back immediately when Hinteregger powered home a header of his own from Kamada’s corner to potentially set up a grandstand finish. Such a finale did not materialise in the end, as a few minutes later Borussia counter-attacked through Lars Stindl, who squared the ball for Zakaria, and this time the Swiss international made no mistake.
Summary: Unfortunate outcome
In spite of the tough loss and the goals conceded, Hütter will likely be pleased with the way in which his charges refused to give up when all seemed lost; in fact, on another day, the Eagles might even have taken something from the match.
SGE line-up
Rönnow – Abraham (c), Hinteregger, Hasebe – Rode (Kohr 46’), Da Costa, Fernandes (Joveljic 83’), Kostic (Chandler 79’), Sow – Kamada, Paciencia
Goals
1-0 Thuram (28’)
2-0 Wendt (45+2’)
2-1 Da Costa (59’)
3-1 Elvedi (74’)
3-2 Hinteregger (79’)
4-2 Zakaria (85’)