Augsburg (AP) - Thanks to double packer Lars Stindl, Borussia Mönchengladbach ended his black series at FC Augsburg and won an important victory in the title fight.
After a significant increase in performance after the break, coach Marco Rose's team got their first Bundesliga three in the Fuggerstadt in the ninth attempt at 3-2 (0-0). In the end, the "foals" still had to shake.
Ramy Bensebaini (49th minute), who had returned to the starting eleven after a muscle injury, and Lars Stindl (53th, 79th) with his second double of the season met for the Gladbachers, who received runner-up Borussia Dortmund in the top game in one week. Eduard Löwen (57.) and Alfred Finnbogason (83.) had shortened before 29,303 spectators. In the table, Borussia remains fourth, six points behind leaders Bayern Munich, but still has a catch-up game against 1. FC Köln.
After the 1-1 draw against 1899 Hoffenheim in Tobias Strobl for Alassane Plea, he put additional protection on the defensive. His opponent Martin Schmidt changed his starting eleven to four positions after the 0-2 in Leverkusen. New winter entry Eduard Löwen made his debut as a driver, Carlos Gruezo replaced the suspended captain Daniel Baier in the defensive midfield.
The spectators had to do without dangerous goal area scenes almost completely in the first half. The Gladbacher was playfully stronger, but could not benefit from it and avoided the risk. The rare Augsburg switching moments were defused by the watchful Borussia goalkeeper Yann Sommer at the latest. So in the 31st minute, when Löwen extended to Florian Niederlechner's head, but the keeper stormed out of his goal in time.
On the other hand, the guests became livelier at the end of the first 45 minutes. Gladbach's captain Stindl (37th) had a promising chance, but Tomas Koubek, who was so changeable this season, dived in time for his shot. Five minutes later, Marcus Thuram quickly forwarded to Florian Neuhaus. Again Augsburg's Czech keeper fended off, Jonas Hofmann got the margin out of control and moved.
The Gladbachers still have the catch-up game against 1. FC Köln on March 11th, but they really wanted the three at FCA. Rose switched to a defensive line of three with Denis Zakaria in the center, Plea replaced his French compatriot Thuram in the storm.
The measures helped. A cross from Plea continued to stalk Stindl in front of Koubek, who did not act decisively enough in the sixteenth, to Bensebaini, who took the lead. Only four minutes later Plea put on for Stindl, who scored the 2-0. In the now brisk game, Löwen headed on a little later. A header from Plea (62nd) just hit the crossbar for Borussia. Schmidt increased the pressure by bringing forward Finnbogason for the defensive Rani Khedira (73.). Instead, the busy Stindl met before the substitute Icelander struck. In the 88th minute, Koubek again parried strongly against Hofmann.
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