In the end it was a somewhat comfortable win for Borussia Mönchengladbach in their first round DFB Cup tie against FC St. Pauli. Having gone behind in the first half, the three-times winners upped their game in the second half to seal a 4-1 win.
It took just 120 seconds to turn the game back in their favour. Lars Stindl scored from close range in the 54th minute, before Ibramhima Traore beat the St. Pauli keeper Robin Himmelmann just two minutes later. Stindl doubled his tally in the 67th minute and substitute Thorgan Hazard wrapped things up in the 86th.
The home side, led by manager Ewald Lienen, dreamt of a cup upset for the first 45 minutes in front of a 28,175 strong crowd. After a delightful Marc Rzatkowski finish in the 33rd minute, the hosts went into the break with a well deserved lead. The midfielder beat Yann Sommer with an unstoppbable strike into the top corner.
Gladbach switch it on after the break
With low-risk, decisive passing, St. Pauli made things very difficult for the hosts in the opening stages. Gladbach were the more skilful side, but were unable to threaten in front of goal.
The only chance for Borussia came in the seventh minute, but Himmelmann was able to parry Traore’s shot with relative ease. The northern side could have taken the lead just minutes later when Lennart Thy missed out on a touch on the South Korean Kyoung-Rok Choi’s cross by inches.
Stindl starts the comeback
Half way through the first half, the five-time German champions began to emerge as the superior team, though without really being more of a threat to the hosts. Indeed, St. Pauli then went on to grab the lead.
After the quick-fire goals in the second half, Gladbach played out the game with a lot more stability. St Pauli refused to give up, but were still unable to create any clear-cut chances. After the second Stindl goal, the game was all but won for Borussia.
In the end it was a somewhat comfortable win for Borussia Mönchengladbach in their first round DFB Cup tie against FC St. Pauli. Having gone behind in the first half, the three-times winners upped their game in the second half to seal a 4-1 win.
It took just 120 seconds to turn the game back in their favour. Lars Stindl scored from close range in the 54th minute, before Ibramhima Traore beat the St. Pauli keeper Robin Himmelmann just two minutes later. Stindl doubled his tally in the 67th minute and substitute Thorgan Hazard wrapped things up in the 86th.
The home side, led by manager Ewald Lienen, dreamt of a cup upset for the first 45 minutes in front of a 28,175 strong crowd. After a delightful Marc Rzatkowski finish in the 33rd minute, the hosts went into the break with a well deserved lead. The midfielder beat Yann Sommer with an unstoppbable strike into the top corner.
Gladbach switch it on after the break
With low-risk, decisive passing, St. Pauli made things very difficult for the hosts in the opening stages. Gladbach were the more skilful side, but were unable to threaten in front of goal.
The only chance for Borussia came in the seventh minute, but Himmelmann was able to parry Traore’s shot with relative ease. The northern side could have taken the lead just minutes later when Lennart Thy missed out on a touch on the South Korean Kyoung-Rok Choi’s cross by inches.
Stindl starts the comeback
Half way through the first half, the five-time German champions began to emerge as the superior team, though without really being more of a threat to the hosts. Indeed, St. Pauli then went on to grab the lead.
After the quick-fire goals in the second half, Gladbach played out the game with a lot more stability. St Pauli refused to give up, but were still unable to create any clear-cut chances. After the second Stindl goal, the game was all but won for Borussia.
