Dortmund's Niklas Süle (M) and Kouadio Koné from Mönchengladbach in action. Links Marvin Friedrich © Bernd Thissen/dpa
Borussia Dortmund can still hope to win their first league title since 2012. After the win against Mönchengladbach, Bayern remain within striking distance with two matchdays to go before the end of the season.
Dortmund - Edin Terzic was visibly satisfied with his players after the last-second goal and final whistle - and then the party started in front of the huge black and yellow fan stand. In the thrilling Bundesliga title race, Borussia Dortmund once again held their nerve. After the Schützenfest in Munich a few hours earlier, BVB celebrated a 5-2 (4-0) win against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday evening - the gap between the second in the table and the leaders from Munich is still only one point.
"It was important to win this game," said goal scorer Donyell Malen on Sky broadcaster. "We played very well as a team." Double goalscorer Sébastien Haller said BVB "dominated the game".
As on the previous matchday in the 6-0 victory over Wolfsburg, the team of coach Edin Terzic was not impressed by a victory of the Munich a few hours earlier. In front of 81,365 spectators at the sold-out Signal Iduna Park, BVB played big at times on Saturday evening and came to a deserved victory thanks to goals from Malen (5th), Jude Bellingham (12th/foul penalty), Haller (20th/32nd) and Giovanni Reyna (90th+4). The late Gladbach goals were scored by Rami Bensebaini (75th/foul penalty) and Lars Stindl (85th).
Although Dortmund's hopes of support from arch-rivals FC Schalke 04 in the 0-6 defeat in Munich a few hours earlier proved to be wishful thinking, the reaction was positive. The starting eleven, unchanged from the Wolfsburg game, which again lacked captain Marco Reus, got off to a lightning start. The first scoring chance gave them the lead: a blocked shot by Jude Bellingham pushed attacker Malen over the line with his head from close range.
The Dutchman's eighth goal in the last eight games took the pressure off Dortmund. Even the great chance to equalise seven minutes later by Gladbach's full-back and alleged BVB newcomer Bensebaini, which was defused by goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, could not stop Dortmund's offensive urge.
With astonishing effectiveness and great enthusiasm for the game, the Bayern pursuer - as against Wolfsburg - ensured clear conditions early on. A foul by Florian Neuhaus on Haller was punished by referee Daniel Schlager with a penalty, which Bellingham converted with a bit of luck.
Haller's dream goal caused further frustration among the completely overwhelmed guests. Standing with his back to goal, Haller sent Malen's cross pass into the far corner in a remarkable manner and gave his team a decisive 3-0 lead. Haller's second goal required less art: Malen once again served the Dortmund newcomer, who converted directly in the style of a goalscorer.
With the 0:4 at half-time, the Gladbachers were still well served. Although there were promising approaches in the forward game, there were astonishing gaps in the cover.
Even after the restart, Borussia Dortmund remained the better team, but were no longer as effective in taking advantage of scoring chances as in the 1st half. In addition, the team took it easy with games in Augsburg and against Mainz in the feeling of certain victory and with a view to the rest of the program. A foul by substitute Giovanni Reyna on Bensebaini set up Gladbach's first goal. The fouled man safely converted the penalty kick that was due, and substitute Stindl then brought Gladbach even closer. Dpa
