In what was a fairly one sided affair for much of the game, Borussia Mönchengladbach ran out eventual 3-1 winners over Eintracht Frankfurt. Gladbach were able to grab two quick goals in the opening stages of the encounter and from then on rarely looked like throwing it away before adding a third from the penalty spot mid-way through the second period. Frankfurt failed to create much in the way of clear cut chances but looked more threatening as the game wore on and were able to grab a consolation goal inside the last 10 minutes.
Gladbach set up in quite a fluid 4-2-3-1 formation that changed to a 4-3-3 at times when out of possession and they looked dangerous on the counter attack and confident and composed on the ball. Frankfurt gave them too much room to operate in midfield for large periods of the game and as a result the Gladbach forwards were allowed to turn and drive at the opposition defence.
Ratings
- A1 – Very good, could play higher
- A2 – Strong potential to play higher
- B1 – Good, strong player at level
- B2 – Potential to be strong player at level
- C – Average for the level, rewatch
- D – Below average, don’t follow up
Player profile:
- Nationality: German
- Age: 23
- Date of birth: 16/03/1997
- Current Club: Borussia Mönchengladbach
- Career: 1860 Munich, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Fortuna Düsseldorf (L)
- Position: Central Midfield
- Secondary Position: 10 / Left Midfield
- Preferred foot: Right
Florian Neuhaus registered a particularly promising performance in central midfield for Borussia Mönchengladbach. The German midfielder demonstrated impressive levels of composure and confidence in possession, rarely seeming rushed when on the ball and consistently making clean and effective passes. Under little pressure for large periods of the game, he was able to dictate the play, primarily playing simple yet progressive passes that allowed his team to attack with pace and directness. His positioning meant that he was particularly important to his team’s transition from defence to attack, receiving the ball from the defenders before turning and finding a ball to the forwards or full backs who had pushed on.
The German did make one or two loose passes but aside from those, he was for the most part very accurate and economical with possession. He rarely dribbled with the ball but showed a consistently good first touch and made some nice turns to set up his next pass. As the game wore on, Neuhaus took up some slightly more advanced positions when supporting counter attacks and had a shot from range that he dragged well wide. Defensively, the 23 year old showed good awareness to make some important interventions and battled well in challenges to compete for possession. Due to his central midfield partner playing deeper than him in more of a holding role, the defensive duties of Neuhaus were lessened and due to Mönchengladbach’s control over the game at times he was allowed more freedom.
On the whole, Neuhaus had an excellent game in midfield as his side cruised to victory, he showed that he can be an important player for Gladbach and at a young age he will only improve and develop further.
Rating: A2
Player profile:
- Nationality: French
- Age: 22
- Date of birth: 06/08/1997
- Current Club: Borussia Mönchengladbach
- Career: Sochaux, Guingamp, Borussia Mönchengladbach
- Position: Striker
- Secondary Position: Right Wing / Left Wing
- Preferred foot: Right
Marcus Thuram drifted in and out of the game, not seeing a lot of the ball, but he was able to have an impact when he got the chance, scoring Gladbach’s second and creating some good opportunities. Playing primarily on the left wing, he posed a threat on the counter attack, using his pace to beat his opponent. The Frenchman was exciting with the ball at his feet, showing good levels of close control and strength when taking on defenders.
He made some clever passes and looked to use his pace off the ball to make dangerous runs in behind the oppostion back line. The 6’3 forward with a sturdy build was able to generate great power and acceleration which allowed him to get into positions to create chances, or sometimes hold the ball up and wait for support. He had few defensive duties to carry out but he tracked back well when it was required of him and was also an aerial presence for his team.
The 23 year old seemed full of confidence and always looked to drive at the opposition when possible, providing a positive outlet for his side. Overall, Thuram had a good game when he was involved, showing great potential for his future development.
Rating: A2
Player profile:
- Nationality: Algerian
- Age: 25
- Date of birth: 16/04/1995
- Current Club: Borussia Mönchengladbach
- Career: Paradou AC, Lierse (L), Montpellier (L), Rennes, Borussia Mönchengladbach
- Position: Left Back
- Secondary Position: Central Defender / Defensive Midfield
- Preferred foot: Left
Ramy Bensebaini had a very impressive game from left back as Gladbach triumphed over Frankfurt. The 6’2″ defender is fairly slim in build but showed great aerial ability, winning several headers at both ends of the pitch. He was also quite strong in challenges and showed a good turn of pace when necessary, either to make recovery runs or drive forward down the left wing.
The Algerian international enjoyed getting forward throughout the match, supporting the winger ahead of him and providing a lot of width for his side. He drove well with the ball at his feet and made some smart passes and deliveries, however, his end product was mixed with one or two wayward crosses and a poor shot from range. Bensebaini also showed confidence to step up and take the penalty for Gladbach and although it was not the most convincing, it was enough to find the back of the net.
Defensively, as previously mentioned his aerial ability was important and he made some clean tackles and positive interceptions. There were a couple of occasions where he could have done better, being turned too easily and failing to track his man but he was solid overall and in the end had little to do. On the whole, the 25 year old put on a positive display, providing an attacking outlet and being fairly reliable defensively.
Rating: A2
Player profile:
- Nationality: Swiss
- Age: 23
- Date of birth: 14/02/1997
- Current Club: Borussia Mönchengladbach
- Career: Basel, Schalke 04, Borussia Mönchengladbach
- Position: Striker
- Secondary Position: Right Wing / 10
- Preferred foot: Right
Similarly to Thuram, Embolo did not see a huge amount of the ball, but when he was in possession he was always looking to make things happen for his team in the middle and final thirds. The Swiss international changed position on a couple of occasions between striker and number 10 depending on the situation and phase of play. He showed great strength on the ball, frequently holding up the play for his team and he was able to use a quick burst pace to get away from opposition players or make runs in behind.
One of the most impressive parts of Embolo’s performance was taking the ball on the turn in the middle third before driving his team up the pitch and beyond the Eintracht Frankfurt midfield. The quality of his final ball varied, making some loose passes or overrunning the ball in some areas, but he was also clever with the use of his body – winning a couple of fouls and a penalty of his side. Defensively he made some good recovery tackles but didn’t work too hard to track back and made one late foul.
Overall, Embolo had a decent game for Gladbach and held up the ball and drove his team up the pitch well at times but was unable to find a killer final pass.
Rating: B1
Player profile:
- Nationality: Swiss
- Age: 23
- Date of birth: 30/09/1996
- Current Club: Borussia Mönchengladbach
- Career: FC Zürich, Borussia Mönchengladbach
- Position: Central Defender
- Secondary Position: Right Back / Left Back
- Preferred foot: Right
Central defender Nico Elvedi had a solid game for Gladbach, with a couple of defensive errors slightly letting down his performance. In possession, Elvedi seemed very comfortable and composed, recycling the ball well and rarely giving anything away. He primarily played short passes to either the central midfielders or his central defensive partner but was also capable of making a couple of progressive passes. He rarely stepped out of defence with the ball and instead looked for simple passes to his teammates. At 6’2, the 23 year old provided an aerial presence, and was strong in the tackle.
When defending, he often stood up well in order to delay his opponent and direct them away from goal, and showed good reading of the game to provide cover for his teammates and make one or two important interventions or interceptions. However, perhaps due to it being the first game back after a long break, the Swiss international did mistime a couple of challenges. The first of which resulted in him being booked for a late tackle, with the other resulting in the opposition scoring due to him going to ground too quickly and the ball being taken around him.
Overall, Elvedi was comfortable in possession and demonstrated some good defensive qualities but also made a couple of unfortunate costly mistakes despite his team winning in the end.
Rating: B1
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