1. FC Union Berlin's first visit to Borussia-Park ended in defeat as Urs Fischer's men went down 1-4 at Borussia Mönchengladbach.
The Foals, who moved into third with the three points, were inspired by two-goal Marcus Thuram and one from French strike-partner Alassane Plea. Midfielder Florian Neuhaus started the scoring for Borussia Mönchengladbach after 18 minutes.
Sebastian Andersson scored his 12th Bundesliga goal of the season to temporarily cut Union's deficit at the start of the second half.
Urs Fischer restored Christopher Lenz to his left-back position in place of Julian Ryerson, who deputised during Wednesday's 1-1 draw at home to Mainz. Robert Andrich's red card took him out of the matchday squad for the trip to Mönchengladbach, while Grischa Prömel stepped in to partner Christian Gentner in the heart of Union's midfield. Marco Rose's team controlled possession from the first whistle, but were given some early difficulties by Union's strong defensive unit. However, Neuhaus' surging run from midfield broke the resolve of the away team and the 23-year-old finished past Rafal Gikiewicz. The response came through the combination of Christopher Trimmel and Seb Andersson but the Swede didn't test the goalkeeper with the header. On 28 minutes, Gentner claimed a loose ball in a wide area, returned the ball into the box but Marvin Friedrich headed over the target. Given how much the Köpenick club have prided their Bundesliga debut on organisation at the back, the second for Mönchengladbach will have left the coach frustrated. Alassane Plea took his time from the right to pick out Marcus Thuram at the far post, the striker heading in his second without any pressure.
The turnaround was utilised to grab a breather and change the approach for the second half. Fischer used his first substitution, replacing Neven Subotic with Felix Kroos and moving to a 4-3-3. After five minutes, the Köpenick club had pulled one back from a set-piece. Trimmel aimed for the back-post where Ingvartsen headed back across goal and the ball was turned home by Andersson from a few yards out. But the opportunity to fight back that Union presented themselves with was erased as Mönchengladbach scored a third in the 59th minute. Prömel was bundled over – legally, according to referee Frank Willenborg – and Plea assisted Thuram for a simple finish at the back-post. Julian Ryerson stepped in for Christopher Lenz at the hour mark, but after a strong tackle from Neuhaus, the Norwegian limped off four minutes later – Joshua Mees took his place with Bülter dropping back to left full-back. With nine minutes to play at Borussia-Park, Plea put his own name on the scoresheet, scoring with a first-time volley to add some shine to the victory for Mönchengladbach.
With the tank emptied following an 'English Week' in the Bundesliga, Urs Fischer's team have the chance to recover and prepare next week for Sunday's 15:30 match against Schalke at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
Union meet Gladbach at Borussia-Park
Match preview
1. FC Union Berlin's 29th Bundesliga match of the season will see them contest Borussia Mönchengladbach at Borussia-Park for the first time on Sunday at 15:30.
Review: Union battle to earn point, Gladbach held in Bremen
1. FC Union Berlin's ten men battled at home to Mainz to hold on to a point, which took their tally up to 31 for the season. The Carnival Club, coached by Achim Beierlorzer, moved into the lead with Ridle Baku's strike after 13 minutes. Marcus Ingvartsen levelled with a free-kick on 33 minutes, but Urs Fischer's side had to continue on with one player less following Robert Andrich's dismissal. In the second half, the Köpenick club showed grit and determination to see the game out – almost nicking it themselves with Keven Schlotterbeck's header at the death.
Meanwhile, Marco Rose's side have aspirations of qualifying for next season's Champions League, but the Foals suffered a blow, dropping two points at Werder Bremen. Mönchengladbach are two points off RB Leipzig, in fourth, so will be looking to get back to winning ways at home to Union Berlin. Gladbach's last home game, however, did not go according to plan with Bayer Leverkusen running out comfortable winners a week ago.
Coach:
"Gladbach are having a great season and currently are battling for a Champions League place. They move the ball well and have a strong individual quality. We can't influence the other side, but we want to build on our performance against Mainz. We've been busy on the field, we've created opportunities, the game and the point won have done us a lot of good and so we'll tackle the tough task. Every difficult task is also one which we can deliver on. We need a very good day and Gladbach need an off day. We are in the relegation battle and the pressure will continue to increase. When I see how the team reacted against Mainz, we'll take the challenge on head first," said coach Urs Fischer at the pre-match press conference.
Personnel:
Andrich's two yellow cards on Wednesday means he's missing for Sunday's trip to Mönchengladbach. Fischer is still without the options of Akaki Gogia and Sheraldo Becker, while Christopher Lenz has trained this week without any further complications. As the club confirmed this week, Sebastian Polter would be unavailable for selection for the remainder of the season.
Service:
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports in Germany, Fox Sports in USA and BT Sport in the United Kingdom.
