The Eagles never recovered after conceding twice in the opening seven minutes. Ramy Bensebaini’s penalty in the second half sealed the three points for the Foals, though Andre Silva did reduce the deficit late on.
Personnel: Dost returns
There was a welcome return to the side for striker Bas Dost, who has been plagued by injury and illness problems so far this year. Otherwise it was a familiar starting line-up, while Gelson Fernandes was named in the squad for the first time since suffering an injury during the winter break.
First half: Nightmare start
The Eagles found themselves behind inside the opening minute at the Commerzbank-Arena, with Jonas Hofmann and Alassane Plea combining and the latter driving a low shot into the far corner. Things got worse six minutes later, when Marcus Thuram tapped in from Bensebaini’s low ball from the left.
After a sluggish start, Eintracht gradually began to shake off the cobwebs and had their first real attempt on goal in the 23rd minute, when Filip Kostic’s powerful free-kick was pushed away by Gladbach goalkeeper Yann Sommer. But despite having more of the ball, Adi Hütter’s men struggled to create chances. The visitors also threatened a couple of times on the counter, with Kevin Trapp saving twice from Plea, but it remained 2-0 at the interval.
Second half: No way back
The Eagles had an early glimpse of goal in the second half when Daichi Kamada wriggled into the penalty area, but his shot was deflected behind. There was little goalmouth action from then until the 72nd minute, when Gladbach were awarded a penalty after a push by Evan Ndicka in the box. Trapp got a hand to Bensebaini’s spot-kick but couldn’t keep it out.
Silva – one of the five substitutions made by Hütter – gave Eintracht a glimmer hope of when he pulled one back in the 81st minute, but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation.
Summary: Slow start proves fatal
Having not played for over two months and without the backing of their passionate fans, Eintracht were caught cold early on and couldn’t find a way back against a well-organised Gladbach side. With eight games coming up over the next six weeks, the Eagles quickly need to adapt to the new situation – starting with next Saturday’s trip to Bayern Munich.
SGE line-up
Trapp – Toure, Abraham (Chandler 74’), Hinteregger, Ndicka (Kohr 83’) – Ilsanker (Hasebe 74’), Sow (Silva 46’), Rode – Kamada (Gacinovic 78’), Dost, Kostic
Goals
Plea 0-1 (1’)
Thuram 0-2 (7’)
Bensebaini 0-3 (73’ pen)
Silva 1-3 (81’)