Gladbach defeated in Barcelona
Borussia Mönchengladbach were unable to sign off from the UEFA Champions League as they would have liked after succumbing to a 4-0 defeat away to FC Barcelona in the final round of Group C matches.
FC Barcelona 4-0 Borussia Mönchengladbach
Goals: 1-0 Messi (16'), 2-0 Turan (50'), 3-0 Turan (53'), 4-0 Turan (67')
The Foals were assured of their place in the UEFA Europa League next year prior to this match, and coach Andre Schubert duly rested several first-team regulars, including Fabian Johnson, Raffael and Christoph Kramer ahead of their crunch clash with 1. FSV Mainz 05 on Matchday 14. Gladbach gave a good account of themselves and battled hard in the first half, but Barcelona went in 1-0 up at the break thanks to Lionel Messi's early strike.
Any hopes Gladbach might have had of a fightback were dashed early in the second period when Arda Turan scored twice in quick succession. Schubert's side rallied and threatened at the other end with the pace of Thorgan Hazard and Andre Hahn, but the home side struck again in the 67th minute as Turan completed his hat-trick. Substitute Johnson had the best chance to score for the guests when he rounded the goalkeeper, but he was forced too wide to be able to convert, leaving Gladbach to return home empty handed.
