Borussia Monchengladbach’s forward duo fire them into third

An impressive performance from Borussia Mönchengladbach, inspired by French attackers Marcus Thuram and Alassane Plea, lifted the club up to third in the Bundesliga table.

Marco Rose’s men looked to bounce back after their midweek draw to Werder Bremen, Union also drawed with Mainz in their last fixture.

Florian Neuhaus’ effort from the halfway line almost caught Union Berlin goalkeeper Rafał Gikiewicz unaware early on as the Prussians started with a high-tempo press on Union’s backline.

Gladbach’s persistence was rewarded when Neuhaus picked up the ball on the edge of the area in the 17th minute. The German faked to shoot and dribbled into the area as he fired a low shot towards goal which rebounded off the left post and trickled over the line.  

The goal was Gladbach’s 3,000th in the Bundesliga and at that moment in time sent them to third in the table, above Bayer Leverkusen on goal difference.

Patrick Herrmann, making his 267 Bundesliga appearance for Gladbach, was then denied by a superb tackle by Neven Subotic when through on goal as the Foals seemed a level above their opponents.

The advantage was doubled four minutes before the break. Running into the area, Plea spotted his strike partner Thuram free in the area. A perfect lofted cross found the 22-year-old Frenchman, who confidently headed home for a two-goal cushion.

Union Berlin’s main threat this season has arrived from the set-pieces of Christopher Trimmel and so it proved once more five minutes into the second period. The Austrian’s floated ball was inadvertently deflected into the path of top scorer Sebastian Andersson, who steered a header past Yann Sommer to bring Union back into the contest.

Herrmann almost had the perfect response when he rounded Gikiewicz but could only find the side-netting before Ramy Bensebaini’s free-kick went close for the hosts. 

The two-goal lead was eventually restored and it was Plea to Thuram again. Grischa Prömel was robbed of possession deep in his own half by Jonas Hofmann, the German laid the ball to Plea who found his striker partner at the back post and tapped the ball into the back of the net. 

Urs Fischer’s men continued to show spirit and determination in the match but their efforts from range failed to trouble Sommer.

Despite their best efforts, Gladbach wrapped up their victory with about ten minutes to go through Plea. Full-back Bensebaini’s cross found the Frenchman in the area and the striker expertly helped the ball into the far corner to make it double figures for him in the Bundesliga this season.

The 4-1 win lifts Gladbach to 56 points, Union now just four points above the drop zone.