Gladbach run wild and capitalize on Dortmund's wide-open defense
Gladbach took care of business at home against BVB on Friday night with some excellent offensive efficiency from Jonas Hofmann and Marcus Thuram. While Dortmund led in xG, it has to be said that Mats Hummels and Nico Schlotterbeck had a night to forget in Dortmund's back-line.
Dortmund lost their second straight Bundesliga game in a row, while Gladbach rebounded after their midweek defeat to lowly Bochum with a 4-2 win. The 'Borussia battle' was all Gladbach, who exploited BVB's unorganized defense, as Dortmund couldn't finish enough chances to keep pace.
To start things off, Dortmund's defense was quickly split wide open and Jonas Hofmann took advantage with the first goal of the game in the 4th minute. But, BVB struck back in the up-and-down affair.
Jude Bellingham's deft pass found a free Julian Brandt, who put away the opportunity with pure class just past the quarter hour mark. Players were slipping all over the pitch and Nico Schlotterbeck nearly gave away another goal minutes later.
The game got crazier with Gladbach deservedly taking back their lead through Ramy Bensebaini's header in the 26th minute from Hofmann's free-kick. Minutes later, Marcus Thuram scored his 10th goal of the season in a one-on-one situation against Gregor Kobel.
Goals continued to rain down with Schlotterbeck scoring from a corner following a save by Jan Olschowsky in the 40th minute to make it 3-2. Gio Reyna, Youssoufa Moukoko and Donyell Malen had chances to add a goal of their own late in the first half, but they were unable to do so.
At the break, Edin Terzic needed to solve BVB's suspect defense, who were far too susceptible during Gladbach counterattacks. However, 40 seconds into the second period, Kouadio Koné scored Gladbach's 4th to put their advantage back to two.
Schlotterbeck and Mats Hummels continued to struggle, giving way to a system change with Anthony Modeste replacing the former Freiburg star in the 59th minute.
Then, VAR overturned Hofmann's second goal of the night, as Thuram controversially fouled Hummels. Dortmund couldn't convert any of their late chances and Gladbach comfortably held on to their two-goal cushion.
It's a disastrous result for Edin Terzic's inconsistent side, who sit 6th in the table. The Foals move to 7th in the league in the last match of the 2022 calendar year.