Champions League: Gladbach playful chance on first knockout round – Hamburger Abendblatt

Mönchengladbach. The team of the moment in the Bundesliga has squandered the chance for the next round in the Champions League. Also on the fourth group stage came Borussia Mönchengladbach on Tuesday against Juventus on a 1: 1 non-addition and must worry about the whereabouts of the international competition.

46 217 spectators in the sold-out Borussia-Park scored Fabian Johnson (18) the results for the hosts, the Swiss Stephan Lichtsteiner (44th) scored for the last year’s finalist. The red card for Juventus player Hernanes (53rd) due to rough tackle availed the hosts nothing, chances remained scarce. With two wins in the last two games against FC Sevilla (25.11.) And Manchester City (8:12.), The Gladbach still reach the third place in the group and to continue at least in the Europa League.

It was for the national league against the Italian champions more than a draw inside. With the confidence of six wins in the Bundesliga in a row Gladbach let rip. Again and again played Borussia courageously forward, pressed early and forced Juve to unfamiliar defensive errors. Unlucky youngster Mahmoud Dahoud (13), clapped his 25-meter shot against the bar. Five minutes later, Gladbach’s efforts were rewarded: Raffael took advantage of a blunder by Turin defender Giorgio Chiellini and passed to Johnson, who had from ten meters Buffon no chance. Only gradually was the favorite from Italy, where the injured world champion Sami Khedira was missing, better to leave the fray. After a brilliant pass from France starlet Paul Pogba Lichtsteiner successfully completed volley from just before the break when his comeback. The full-back was required to undergo only the beginning of October a heart surgery.

The VfL Wolfsburg has after a harmless idea deserved a 0: 2 conceded defeat at PSV Eindhoven. Jürgen Locadia (56 minutes) and the former Gladbach Luuk de Jong (86th) scored the goals for the Dutch hosts. In three weeks at CSKA Moscow Wolfsburg have now points to preserve the opportunity for the hoped-for first Champions League first knockout round of the Club’s history.

 (dpa)