bundesliga

Alexander Sorloth completes stunning RB Leipzig comeback against Borussia Mönchengladbach

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Alexander Sorloth scored an injury-time winner as RB Leipzig fought back from 2-0 down to beat Borussia Mönchengladbach and keep the pressure on Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich.

RB Leipzig 3-2 Borussia Mönchengladbach
Goals: 0-1 Hofmann (pen. 6'), 0-2 Thuram (19'), 1-2 Nkunku (57'), 2-2 Poulsen (67'), 2-3 Sorloth (90'+3)

Gladbach hadn't won in five, but gave themselves every chance of reversing the trend when Jonas Hofmann swept in a sixth-minute penalty after Breel Embolo had been fouled by Dayot Upamecano. Leipzig's response was immediate as Marcel Halstenberg forced a goal-line clearance from Matthias Ginter, before Tyler Adams warmed the palms of Yann Sommer. Gladbach extended their advantage through Marcus Thuram, who got the final touch to Embolo's headed cross - the goal standing following a VAR review. Marcel Sabitzer should have reduced the arrears, but ballooned over from inside the area, while Sommer thwarted Justin Kluivert. A full-pelt first period concluded with Hofmann tickling the side netting and having a goal-bound effort deflected wide by Willi Orban.

Leipzig wrestled back the initiative soon after the restart, though, thanks in no small part to the introduction of Sorloth. After having a goal ruled out for handball, the Norway international sent in a cross for Christopher Nkunku to reduce the arrears with a cultured first-time finish. Gladbach were all at sea as Nordi Mukiele tested Sommer, before Yussuf Poulsen collected a pass from Dani Olmo and drove home a 67th-minute equaliser from range. The chances were coming thick and fast, with Poulsen heading wide and Sommer keeping out quick-fire efforts from Olmo and Kluivert. The Gladbach custodian then tipped substitute Emil Forsberg's fierce free-kick onto the upright, but was powerless to stop Sorloth powering in Nkunku's cross in the third minute of added time as Leipzig moved back to within two points of Bayern.

Match stats

  • Sortloth's two Bundesliga goals have come from the bench.
  • Gladbach have won a league-high eight penalties this season, with Hofmann converting three. He's scored a career-best five Bundesliga goals already in 2020/21.
  • Poulsen scored his fifth Bundesliga goal of the season - as many as he managed across the entire 2019/20 league campaign.
  • The same applies to Nkunku, who's scored in Leipzig's last three home league matches.
  • Leipzig have the best home record in this season's Bundesliga (W10, D1, L1).
  • A league-high 25 of Gladbach's goals in 2020/21 have come from midfield.

Watch: Sorloth: "A fantastic feeling"

Line-ups

Leipzig: Gulacsi - Mukiele, Orban, Upamecano, Halstenberg - Adams, Sabitzer (c) (Sorloth 46') - Olmo, Nkunku (Klostermann 90'+6), Kluivert (Forsberg 76') - Poulsen
Unused subs: Martinez, Konate, Haidara, Hwang, Samardzic, Kampl
Out: Angelino (muscular), Laimer (knee), Szoboszlai (groin)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann

Gladbach: Sommer (c) - Beyer, Ginter, Elvedi (Bensebaini 62'), Wendt (Plea 80') - Zakaria (Stindl 80'), Hofmann (Neuhaus 62') - Lazaro, Wolf, Thuram (Kramer 62') - Embolo
Unused subs: Sippel, Herrmann, Traore, Reitz
Out: Doucoure (match fitness), Lainer (thigh)
Coach: Marco Rose

Watch: Hofmann: "It's extremely disappointing"