Ingolstadt strike late to dent Gladbach's European hopes
Borussia Mönchengladbach remain without an away win since 31 October 2015 after conceding a late Moritz Hartmann goal at FC Ingolstadt 04’s Audi Sportpark.
FC Ingolstadt 04 1-0 Borussia Mönchengladbach
Goals: 1-0 Hartmann (87’)
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Back in the side following suspension, Ingolstadt centre-back Benjamin Hübner made a timely interception to deny rampaging Gladbach winger Andre Hahn a near-certain goal inside eight minutes. The Foals threatened again through Thorgan Hazard, but Ingolstadt goalkeeper Ramazan Özcan got down well to beat clear the Belgian forward’s stinging drive.
Ingolstadt came out of their shells around the 35-minute mark as Lukas Hinterseer saw a goal-bound shot headed away by Havard Nordtveit. The Ingolstadt forward was in the thick of things early in the second period, scooping over from close range after Yann Sommer could only parry from Pascal Groß.
Danny da Costa tested Sommer and Hartmann fired wide as Ingolstadt threatened a late winner, but their persistence paid off when Hartmann steered in substitute Mathew Leckie’s fierce right-wing cross three minutes from time. Özcan’s stunning injury-time save from Hahn sealed a hard-earned win that pushes Ralph Hasenhüttl’s men ever closer to mathematical safety.
Man of the match
Da Costa was excellent for Ingolstadt, keeping Gladbach’s roaming left-siders in check and adding weight to the home side’s sprawling attacks.
Talking point
It is another big win for Ingolstadt, but fourth-placed Gladbach will be hugely disappointed not to have made more of third-in-the-table Hertha Berlin’s 2-2 draw with Hannover 96.
Match stats
- Promoted Ingolstadt are 11 points clear of the relegation zone with five rounds of fixtures remaining.Ingolstadt midfielder Max Christiansen was involved in four of Ingolstadt’s six efforts on goal in the first half.Gladbach midfielder Granit Xhaka’s fifth yellow card of the season means he will miss next Friday’s trip to Hanover.
Line-ups
Ingolstadt: Özcan - da Costa, Matip, Hübner, Bauer - Groß, Roger, Christiansen - Hartmann (Bregerie 90+1’), Lezcano (Leckie 64’), Hinterseer (Cohen 80’)
Coach: Ralf Hasenhüttl
Gladbach: Sommer - Elvedi, Christensen, Nordtveit, Wendt - Dahoud, Xhaka (Jantschke 46’) - Johnson (Herrmann 77’) , Hazard, Hahn - Stindl
Coach: Andre Schubert