Matthew Marshall –
Gladbach v Roma – November 7, 2019 – Borussia-Park, Mönchengladbach
Borussia Mönchengladbach’s hopes in the UEFA Europa League are very much alive after a dramatic 2-1 win against Roma. The Foals went into half time 1-0 up thanks to a Federico Fazio own goal, the Roma defender turning home Kolarov’s free kick as the Italian club scored a deserved equaliser.
Marcus Thuram was the hero once again however, the French forward heading home in added time to secure a vital three points for the Bundesliga leaders.
It was a cagey opening with Denis Zakaria going closest in the 16th minute with a long range strike that grazed the bar. Tony Jantschke picked up an injury and was replaced by Jonas Hofmann in the 28th minute with Zakaria moving into central defence.
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Javier Pastore walked through some soft Mönchengladbach defence and shot at Yann Sommer from a tight angle. A Nico Elvedi challenge saw Hofmann break clear down the left wing, he picked out Florian Neuhaus on the penalty spot who took a touch when a first time shot was required.
Marco Rose’s side persisted down the left side and were rewarded in the 35th minute. Thuram and Neuhaus combined with Thuram showing too much speed for Chris Smalling, the French attacker providing a low cross that Federico Fazio turned into his own net.
Gianluca Mancini was having a tough time in the holding midfield role and was booked for a cynical foul on Benes. Benes earned himself a caution in the final minute of the first half as he brought down Justin Kluivert.
The second half started with Thuram’s shot deflected into the path of Stindl who shot wide. Sommer produced a great save to deny Javier Pastore as Roma began to threaten.
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Amadou Diawara replaced Mancini as Roma got closer to an equaliser and it was little surprise when they secured it in the 64th minute. Kolarov’s free kick found Fazio on Sommer’s doorstep and he had little trouble firing home from close range.
Marco Rose switched to a back four with Zakaria moving back to midfield as the hosts tried to get back into the game. Lainer got back to deny Kluivert before the Dutch winger had another attempt that went over the bar.
Alassane Plea replaced Neuhaus in the 73rd minute, Paulo Fonseca responding by bringing on Cengiz Ünder and Diego Perotti for Nicolò Zaniolo and Pastore.
Borussia Mönchengladbach looked headed towards a draw but their persistence paid off in added time. Zakaria’s cross met by Plea, he headed across to Thuram who beat Lopez for a dramatic late winner that sent the home support into ecstasy.
Gladbach v Roma – Three Stars
Gladbach v Roma – Moenchengladbach’s French forward Marcus Thuram celebrates victory after the UEFA Europa League Group J football match Borussia Moenchengladbach v Roma in Moenchengladbach, western Germany, on November 7, 2019. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER / AFP)
Marcus Thuram (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
Thuram bamboozled Mancini early on, and the 22-year-old always looked the most likely to pierce Roma’s defence. Created Gladbach’s first goal, scored the winner, linked up well with all his teammates and continues to improve.
Denis Zakaria (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
Narrowly missed from a distance early on and was a constant presence in midfield before dropping into defence. Has improved immeasurably since Rose took over with his versatility keeping Strobl and Kramer our of the team.
Federico Fazio (Roma)
It takes a lot of skill to score at both ends of the pitch, particularly for both teams. In all seriousness, Fazio recovered well from the own goal and made a number of important interceptions and tackles in the second half.
Gladbach vs Roma Goals: 1-0 (Fazio, 35’ OG) 1-1 (Fazio 64’), 2-1 (Thuram 90+4’)
Gladbach v Roma – Line-ups
Borussia Mönchengladbach:
Formation: 3-4-1-2
Sommer – Jantschke (Hofmann 28‘), Ginter, Elvedi – Lainer, Bénes, Zakaria, Wendt (Bensebaini 84‘)- Neuhaus (Plea 73‘) – Stindl, Thuram
Coach: Marco Rose
Roma:
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Lopez – Santon, Smalling, Fazio, Kolarov – Veretout, Mancini (Diawara 59’) – Kluivert, Pastore (Perotti 79’), Zaniolo (Ünder 76’) – Dzeko
Coach: Paulo Fonseca
Matthew Marshall is a freelance football journalist. Born in Australia and living in Germany, he is sports mad but his passion is undoubtedly the beautiful game. Primarily covering the Bundesliga and the Portuguese national team, he follows all the major European domestic leagues intently alongside both UEFA club competitions. A member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). Follow Matthew Marshall on Twitter @noobzcorp
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