Borussia Mönchengladbach defeat VfB Stuttgart to pick up first points of the season
Borussia Mönchengladbach picked up their first points of the season as they defeated VfB Stuttgart 3-2 at the MHPArena in Matchday 7's curtain-raiser.
Goals: 1-0 Demirović 5’ (assist: Pejčinović), 1-1 Scally 38’ (assist: Uno), 1-2 Machino 51’ (assist: Mohya), 1-3 Mohya 66’ (assist: Scally), 2-3 Demirović 83’ (assist: Leweling)
Stuttgart made the perfect start, breaking the deadlock inside the opening five minutes. The ball fell to Ermedin Demirović, who volleyed home from 25 metres, with Moritz Nicolas getting a hand to the effort but unable to keep it out. Stuttgart subsequently dominated the opening half-hour, going close through Ramon Hendriks and Lorenz Assignon, but Gladbach grew into the game.
Fabio Chiarodia forced a save from Dennis Seimen, and in the 38th minute, Zento Uno's volley was diverted home by Joe Scally with a brilliant backheel flick to level proceedings. Gladbach then struck the crossbar through Wael Mohya in stoppage time as the half ended level.
The visitors continued their momentum after the restart and, before long, they had turned the game on its head. Mohya battled to keep the ball alive on the left and squared it for Shuto Machino, who fired into the roof of the net. Stuttgart brought on Jamie Leweling, Undav and Bilal El Khannouss in search of a response, but it was Gladbach who struck again midway through the half.
A goalmouth scramble eventually saw Scally scoop the ball over to Mohya, who headed home from close range. Demirović pulled one back with a header from Leweling's cross in the 83rd minute, but Gladbach held on to get themselves off the mark this campaign.
Man of the Match: Wael Mohya
Mohya was central to Gladbach's turnaround, providing the assist for Machino's go-ahead goal and then scoring the third himself. He ranked top among Gladbach's players for shots and was heavily involved in the fast, direct play that undid Stuttgart after the break, earning him 51 percent of the Man of the Match vote.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Stuttgart 1.19 - Borussia Mönchengladbach 2.38
Fastest player: Chris Führich (Stuttgart), 34.64 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1:0 by Ermedin Demirović (Stuttgart), 4 percent
Pass efficiency: Joe Scally (Gladbach), +1.95
Fantasy Heroes: Ermedin Demirović (Stuttgart, 126 Points), Dženan Pejčinović (Stuttgart, 53 Points), Leo Sauer (Stuttgart, 50 Points)
