Gladbach start new year with big win over Augsburg

Borussia Mönchengladbach were in control of the game from the first whistle, and they took the lead with their first real chance. The two wingbacks combined well to break Augsburg’s deep defense.

From Luca Netz’s cutback, Joe Scally scored with his second try after his initial attempt was blocked by Mads Pedersen. Franck Honorat, who started that move on the left wing, had the next chance of the game right away.

In his first start of the season, Pedersen was also involved in Gladbach’s second goal. The Danish defender was penalised for a handball while trying to clear Florian Neuhaus’ delivery. Kevin Diks scored from the penalty-kick by simply going for the middle.

The hosts extended the score with another set-piece ten minutes before the half-time break. Netz was credited for the assist this time as his corner-kick was converted from close range by Haris Tabakovic, who ended a four-game scoreless run.

The visitors had their first real chance of the game in injury-time with the long-range effort from Alexis Claude-Maurice, who has scored a hat-trick in Augsburg’s 3-0 win here last season

Manuel Baum made a half-time change with Samuel Essende coming in place of Fabian Rieder. The DR Congo striker is just returning from the African Cup of Nations duty in Morocco.

Gladbach’s confidence was visible with Yannik Engelhardt’s audacious overhead kick after the restart. Nicolas made his first save on the other end when Han-Noah Massengo’s cross for Essende nearly evaded everyone.

Their performance wasn’t abysmal, but Augsburg conceded once again with the next big chance of the game. Tabakovic scored with another header after Honorat’s delivery from the right flank.

The Bosnian striker is only bettered by Harry Kane as he matched Deniz Undav’s nine goals. Although Gladbach’s last season top-scorer Tim Kleindienst could only watch from the stands after another injury setback, the Hoffenheim loanee is performing much better than prior expectations.

Tabakovic could even have had a hat-trick before Eugen Polanski took him off as part of triple substitutions, but his attempt to round off Finn Dahmen was unsuccessful. Among the substitutes, Tottenham Hotspur loanee Kota Takai made his Bundesliga debut. 

Meanwhile, Baum brought on another returnee from the AFCON with the introduction of Tunisia’s attacking midfielder Ismaël Gharbi. Michael Gregoritsch also played his first game since his return to Augsburg on loan from Bröndby. Augsburg denied a consolation goal in injury-time with Essende hitting the woodwork before Gharbi's free-kick in the last action of the game.

Gladbach will hope to continue their solid start when they face Hoffenheim on Wednesday. Augsburg will host the final game of matchday 17 the next day against Union Berlin.