Borussia Mönchengladbach secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Union Berlin in a pulsating Bundesliga encounter. Kevin Diks emerged as the unlikely hero, converting a stoppage-time penalty to snatch all three points at Borussia-Park.
The hosts entered the fixture in 14th place, struggling for consistency with a recent form of LDDLD. Union Berlin, sitting comfortably in ninth, aimed to solidify their mid-table position after a WLDLL run.
The first half saw Borussia Mönchengladbach assert early control, dominating possession with 61% of the ball. They pressed forward, seeking to break down Union’s resilient defensive setup.
Despite their territorial advantage, clear-cut chances were scarce for the Foals. Union Berlin's disciplined backline absorbed pressure effectively, limiting Gladbach to a few speculative efforts.
The half also featured a flurry of early bookings, highlighting the match's competitive edge. Christopher Trimmel and Rocco Reitz, who received a yellow for diving, were among the players cautioned.
The referee’s whistle brought an end to a cagey first period with the score still locked at 0-0. Gladbach needed more penetration, while Union looked content to frustrate their opponents.
The second half picked up where the first left off, with both sides battling intensely. Union Berlin made an early substitution, replacing Trimmel at the interval to adjust their defensive shape.
Gladbach thought they had finally found the breakthrough in the 65th minute when Kevin Diks fired home. However, VAR intervened, disallowing the goal for offside, to the frustration of the home crowd.
As the clock ticked down, the game became increasingly fragmented with numerous substitutions and more yellow cards. Jannis Haberer and Rani Khedira were booked for Union, reflecting the growing tension.
With the match seemingly heading for a goalless draw, a late penalty decision dramatically shifted the outcome. In the 90+4 minute, Kevin Diks stepped up. He calmly slotted the ball past Frederik Rønnow, igniting jubilant scenes.
The statistical overview painted a clear picture of Gladbach's dominance. They registered an impressive 15 total shots, with 5 on target, and boasted an expected goals (xG) figure of 1.62. Union, in contrast, managed just 4 shots with an xG of 0.08. Frederik Rønnow made 4 crucial saves for Union.
This hard-fought victory provides a significant boost for Borussia Mönchengladbach, helping them climb the Bundesliga table. Union Berlin will be disappointed to leave empty-handed after holding out for so long.
