Birthday child Marcus Thuram and Nico Elvedi gave Borussia Mönchengladbach's new coach Daniel Farke a perfect debut in the Bundesliga.
84 days after the meeting on the last day of last season, the Gladbachers defeated TSG Hoffenheim 3-1 (1-1) and thus caused new coach Andre Breitenreiter to make a false start in the first league game for the Kraichgauers. In front of 49,659 spectators in Borussia Park, Ramy Bensebaini (42nd minute), Thuram (71st) and Elvedi (78th) scored the goals for Gladbach. Robert Skov (25th) gave the visitors the lead. Defender Stefan Posch received a yellow-red card in the 19th minute.
Farke had chosen Florian Neuhaus to replace the injured Lars Stindl in attacking midfield when he made his Bundesliga debut and thus filled the most important position ideally. Because the national player, otherwise often used in defensive midfield, has his greatest qualities in the game up front. The Japanese Ko Itakura was the only new signing in Borussia's starting XI.
However, Neuhaus seemed a little hesitant after an early foul by Stefan Posch, and the Hoffenheim defender received a yellow-red card in the 19th minute for the next foul on Bensebaini.
The Kraichgauers, who have not yet found an adequate replacement for David Raum, who was transferred to Leipzig, had to change their game after the early dismissal. Stanley Nsoki, who was signed this week for around twelve million euros, made his first appearance, but Hoffenheim's coach had to take his defensive midfielder Diadie Samassekou out of the game to replenish the three-man defense. Newcomer Ozan Kabak was in the starting XI anyway.
In the hectic game, which was characterized by many mistakes, the guests took advantage of being outnumbered. Winger Skov hit a left-footed shot from 15 yards to surprisingly make it 1-0 for TSG. The hosts' defense, which was not well-rehearsed in preparation due to various injuries, was not only shaky in this scene.
As the game progressed, the pressure on Gladbach increased. Marcus Thuram, who turned 25 on Saturday, caused a lot of concern. After a corner and a header from Itakura, Bensebaini equalized with a remarkable overhead kick. Despite the best chances, including Joe Scally only hit the crossbar (49th), the hosts struggled for a long time before Thuram and Elvedi scored in the final phase to win.
