Matchday 6 Match of the Week

This week’s Match of the Week saw league leaders RB Leipzig visiting sixth-place Borussia Mönchengladbach [BMG]. Earlier this week, Leipzig received a 5-0 thrashing against Manchester United in UEFA Champions League play, while BMG settled a 2-2 draw against La Liga champions Real Madrid after leading 2-0, also in UCL play. Last year, BMG were one of the few teams to beat Bayern Munich after Hansi Flick took the helm.  They are not a team to be taken lightly. Commentator extraordinaire Phil Bonney called today’s game.

Having seen Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich both overtake them earlier on Saturday, Leipzig came out fighting and Yussuf Poulsen was looking particularly sharp, assisted well by an enterprising Alexander Sorlorth. The Dane brought a fine one-handed save out of BMG goalie Yann Sommer with the first big chance of the game. Sorloth nearly teed up Poulsen midway through the first half, but the ball passed just beyond of the Dane's outstretched right boot, as Leipzig continued to set the tone. BMG posed a considerable threat on the break, though, and offside decisions against Breel Embolo and Alassane Plea – the latter finding the back of the net before the offside flag was raised – prevented Leipzig from falling behind.

Leipzig's Scandinavian strikers continued to spy out chances for the guests as the game entered the second half, but it was BMG, donning special edition black shirts to mark their 120th anniversary, who drew first blood. Patrick Herrmann deftly touched Plea's cross back for Hannes Wolf to score his first Bundesliga goal, against his parent club, with a well-placed finish into the far corner. It was one of the few times during the match that Plea made a correct decision.  He usually shoots when he should pass, and pass when he should shoot.  That’s the story of his time at BMG.  He did take a shot on goal at the 67^th minute, and it was a rocket – but it bounced off the woodwork.  Pity – it would have been a great score.  Leipzig brought on striker Emil Forsberg for midfielder Dani Olmo, midfielder Amadou Haidara for midfielder Kevin Kampl, and striker Hee-Chan Hwang for Poulsen.  Despite the setback, Leipzig refused to relent and Amadou Haidara tested Sommer before Sorloth saw a shot deflected over the crossbar. Leipzig continued to knock and knock on the Foals' barn door, but they could not force it down, with Wolf's goal proved to be enough. That was the story of Leipzig’s night – lots of misses by just inches.

The result lifted BMG to fourth on 11 points after six games, with Leipzig dropping to third on 13, two behind new leaders Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.  Leipzig lost to BMG for the first time ever.

Next week – Bayern Munich visit Borussia Dortmund – a first vs. second in another round of Der Klassiker.