Alassane Pléa hat-trick propels Borussia Mönchengladbach to victory over Werder Bremen
Alassane Pléa scored a sensational hat-trick as Borussia Mönchengladbach defeated Werder Bremen 4-2 to keep their hopes of qualifying for Europe alive and kicking.
Werder Bremen 2-4 Borussia Mönchengladbach
Goals: 0-1 Pléa 7’ (pen), 0-2 Pléa 28’, 1-2 Schmid 38’, 2-2 Silva 45+1’, 2-3 Pléa 47’ (assist: Hack), 2-4 Kleindienst 81’ (assist: Pléa)
Red cards: Kleindienst 90'+1
The Bundesliga clash between Bremen and Gladbach promised excitement, with both teams eyeing crucial points ahead of the season's run-in. Bremen, buoyed by their surprising victory against champions Bayer Leverkusen last week, were looking to build on that momentum. Gladbach, under the guidance of coach Gerardo Seoane, arrived with European ambitions, knowing a win could catapult them into contention for continental football next season. Ole Werner's Bremen side faced the challenge without the suspended Mitchell Weiser, while the visitors welcomed back Joe Scally and Ko Itakura from suspension.
Gladbach's early dominance
The match burst into life early on when Miloš Veljković fouled Robin Hack in the box, resulting in a penalty for Gladbach. Alassane Pléa stepped up and coolly slotted home in the 7th minute, giving the visitors an early lead. The Foals continued to press, and their efforts paid off in the 28th minute when Pléa doubled their advantage with a well-taken volley. Bremen, however, refused to roll over.
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Bremen's spirited comeback
The home side's resilience shone through as they mounted a remarkable comeback. Romano Schmid breathed life into Bremen's challenge with a stunning free-kick in the 39th minute, reducing the deficit. The drama intensified in first-half stoppage time when Bremen were awarded a penalty. André Silva held his nerve, converting from the spot to level the scores at 2-2 going into the break. Silva's goal marked a dramatic swing in win probability, with Bremen's chances of victory rising significantly.
Pléa's masterclass seals victory
Any hopes of a Bremen comeback were swiftly dashed as the second half began. Pléa, in scintillating form, completed his hat-trick just two minutes after the restart, restoring Gladbach's lead. The French forward's clinical finishing proved to be the difference between the sides. Bremen's Jens Stage hit the crossbar in the 62nd minute, coming agonizingly close to equalizing once again. The match took another turn when Gladbach's goalkeeper Jonas Omlin had to be substituted due to injury in the 71st minute, with Tiago Pereira Cardoso taking his place. As Bremen pushed for another equaliser, spaces opened up for the visitors. Tim Kleindienst capitalised on this in the 82nd minute, scoring Gladbach's fourth to effectively seal the victory. Despite Kleindienst's late dismissal for a second yellow card, Gladbach held on for a crucial 4-2 win.
Player of the Match: Alassane Pléa
Pléa's performance was nothing short of spectacular. The French forward's hat-trick was the driving force behind Gladbach's victory, showcasing his clinical finishing and overall influence on the game. Pléa opened the scoring with a confidently taken penalty, doubled the lead with a well-placed volley, and completed his treble with a composed finish early in the second half. His movement, link-up play, and ability to find space consistently troubled Bremen's defence. With four shots on target and three goals, Pléa's efficiency was remarkable, underlining his importance to Gladbach's European ambitions.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Bremen 2.74 - Gladbach 2.5
Fastest player: Oliver Burke (Bremen), 35.86 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 0-2 by AlassanePléa (Gladbach), 5.94 percent
Most pressed player: Romano Schmid (Bremen), 27 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Tim Kleindienst (Gladbach), +2.05
Fantasy Heroes: Alassane Pléa (473 Points), Romano Schmid (321 Points), Robin Hack (277 Points).
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