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The decisive goal was already in the 14th minute. The Gladbach Alassane Pléa transformed an involuntary model of Cologne's Kingsley Ehizibue. However, Breel Embolo made it only possible that the Neu-Gladbacher had rushed past two opponents at high speed and had played a fine pass towards the middle - the pass that Ehizibue could only clear in front of Pléa's feet. It was one of many strong scenes Embolos in the 1-0 victory in Cologne.
After the game, Gladbach coach Marco Rose was asked what he had done with Embolo, who suddenly played quite differently than the one from his Schalke time was used to him. "Yeah, I wanted to tell you that long ago," Rose replied. "We spent three weeks together on vacation."
Of course there was no holiday together, a joke. But what was there were some intense discussions. He was able to convince Embolo, together with sporting director Max Eberl, that a change from Schalke to Gladbach could be "a fresh start", said Rose.
1000 days on Schalke, injured 650 days
When FC Schalke Embolo had come from Basel three years ago, the then 19-year-old was considered one of the most promising talents in Europe. At that time, it was said that Manchester United had persistently advertised for Embolo, Gladbach was also very interested. But Embolo went to Gelsenkirchen. To date, he is with a fee of 26 million euros, the most expensive purchase in Schalke's club history.
Embolo also scored some great goals, but he was also often injured. First it was the ankle, then he had broken his fibula and later also his foot. From just over 1000 days at Schalke he was injured around 650.
Getty Images
Breel Embolo in the game against Cologne's Dominick Drexler
"Breel is still young," said his new coach Rose about the 22-year-old. One should not forget with all the praise, however, "that there is still room for improvement in different areas". A phrase that applies as much to Embolo as to the entire Gladbach team.
After a very strong first half, in which Gladbach was the superior team, in the second half the team missed a lot of what had done well before. The pressing, as Rose would like to see, had cost strength. At the end Gladbach had to tremble once more for the victory. Also Embolo was not so noticeable then. Once, 66 minutes into the game, he hit the ball 16 meters before the goal, but he fell back and his shot was clearly too high. "We are still too lighthearted with our chances," said Embolo afterwards. "Even today, I could play two or three actions better."
The playmaker in the attacker
In Gladbach's midfield diamond Embolo took the most offensive position against Cologne. Often he moved forward to stop the construction of the Cologne, but sometimes he did things that only playmakers do. He let himself fall, deftly distributing the balls. The Embolo is actually a player that has always been called an attacker. But in Gladbach they see the Swiss obviously quite different talents. That's also why they brought him from FC Schalke for about ten million euros.
Recently, Schalke's new coach David Wagner talked to Ruhr News about his job. Of course, it was also about the sparse offensive, which could be a problem for the Schalke. Wagner said, "When I looked at the squad for my commitment, Embolo was one of the players I was looking forward to the most."
1. FC Köln - Borussia Mönchengladbach 0: 1 (0: 1)
0: 1 Pléa (14.)
Cologne : Timo Horn - Ehizibue, Bornauw, Czichos, Hector - Skhiri, Verstraete (86th Kainz) - Schaub (74th cracks), Drexler - Modeste (74th Terodde), Cordoba
Mönchengladbach : Summer - Lainer, Ginter, Elvedi, Bensebaini - Zakaria - Kramer (83rd Strobl), Neuhaus - Embolo - Pléa (87th Herrmann), Thuram (78th Benes)
Referee : Aytekin
Yellow cards : Hector, Risse / Kramer, Elvedi
Spectators : 50,000 (sold out)