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The mood was just a week ago: Borussia Mönchengladbach had just beaten FC Bayern and defended the championship lead in the Bundesliga. A big football festival.
That was eight days ago and now the euphoria has given way: After the dramatic end in the Europa League during the week, Mönchengladbach is no longer the leader in the first division. At VfL Wolfsburg the club lost 1: 2 (1: 1), thereby RB Leipzig (3-0 away win in Düsseldorf) ended the 15th matchday with two points ahead of Borussia (31 points). Breel Embolo scored the Gladbach goal in the 15th minute, Xaver Schlager had previously scored for Wolfsburg (13th minute). In the final phase Maximilian Arnold made the VfL victory perfect (90th + 1).
Mönchengladbach had stormed to the top on the seventh matchday in early October after a 5-1 win over Augsburg and had defended them for eight games. In the remaining two first-round games, Borussia will face Paderborn (December 18) and next Saturday Hertha BSC. The current table eight from Wolfsburg (23 points) is still dealing with Schalke and FC Bayern.
John MACDOUGALL / AFP
Many duels and also yellow cards: it was a competitive game
The game in Wolfsburg took place on an average level for a long time. The lead goal from Schlager was however spectacular: Jérôme Roussillon dribbled on the left side into the penalty area, there he put down on Schlager and the Austrian scored with a direct take into the goal. The Wolfsburg cheers lasted only a few seconds: Embolo practically counter-attacked after a cross from Alassane Pléa. It was the sixth goal of the season for the former Schalke player, he hadn't scored that many goals in one season during his three years at Schalke.
In the second half the chances increased, Wolfsburg's Kevin Mbabu was best when he headed to the post after a free kick (60 '). Then Arnold came in injury time with a shot from the penalty area - 2: 1.
VfL Wolfsburg - Borussia Moenchengladbach 2-1 (1-1)
1-0 hit (13.)
1: 1 embolo (15th)
2: 1 Arnold (90th + 1)
Wolfsburg : Casteels - Knoche, Guilavogui, Brooks - Schlager (77th Gerhardt), Arnold - Mbabu, Roussillon - Steffen (59th Brekalo) - Weghorst, João Victor (87th Klaus)
Mönchengladbach : Summer - Lainer (46th Beyer), Ginter, Elvedi, Bensebaini - Strobl, Hofmann - Benes (77th Stindl) - Embolo, Pléa, Thuram (72nd Herrmann)
Referee : Brych
Yellow cards : Brooks, Roussillon, Schlager / Embolo, Strobl, Beyer
Spectators : 25,000