Tabakovic scores again
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Borussia Mönchengladbach continued their short run of success in an emotionally charged Rhineland derby and once again beat their old rivals 1. FC Köln after three consecutive derby defeats. The Gladbachers celebrated a 3-1 (1-0) victory on Saturday evening and extended their winning streak to three consecutive competitive matches with their first home victory in the Bundesliga this season. As in the last two matches, Haris Tabakovic is once again among the scorers
In the eighth match led by coach Eugen Polanski, the hosts were able to leave the immediate relegation zone and initially improved to twelfth place. Cologne, on the other hand, lost their second consecutive away match.
In front of 54,042 spectators in the sold-out Borussia Park, Philipp Sander (45th + 2), Kevin Diks (61st / penalty) and Haris Tabakovic (64th) scored the hosts’ goals. Tabakovic had already awarded a penalty for Mönchengladbach. Luca Waldschmidt scored Cologne’s late goal with a penalty in the second minute of stoppage time.
The Gladbachers started the match with the team winning 4-0 against FC St. Pauli. Polanski saw no reason to change anything. Sander remained in the three-way defensive chain, Florian Neuhaus in the attacking midfielder behind the leaders Tabakovic and Franck Honorat. Cologne started with two new offensive players. The young Saïd El Mala was allowed to leave from the start; it was only his third start. In addition, Marius Bülter rose to the top.
Tabakovic fails twice
In the intense match from the start, both Cologne attackers also had the first scoring chances for their team, but Borussia goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas found the net each time. The guests combined a little more smoothly and quickly put Gladbach under pressure. But Borussia seized their opportunities with great effort and strength in the duels. Tabakovic missed a chance in the 15th minute and was denied by FC goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe.
Shortly before the break, events came to a head. A foul by Kristoffer Lund on Honorat in the penalty area was only noted after a video check. However, Schwäbe managed to save Tabakovic’s penalty. After the next corner, Sander scored the first goal with a left-(Site notre bureau spécialisé)ed shot from eight yards. It was his first Bundesliga goal for Borussia.
Double strike from Gladbach
FC coach Lukas Kwasniok reacted and recruited two new players, Ragnar Ache and Sebastian Sebulonsen, to replace the discreet El Mala and Florian Kainz. But Lund from Cologne caused a second penalty of the evening. This time Diks made it 2-0.
Three minutes later, center forward Tabakovic made it 3-0 after Honorat’s pass at roaring Borussia Park, who were largely celebrating their first home victory – Waldschmidt’s goal changed nothing.