Hannes Wolf bites the hand that feeds him to earn Borussia Mönchengladbach victory over RB Leipzig
Hannes Wolf's first Bundesliga goal earned Borussia Mönchengladbach all three points against a RB Leipzig side who continue to own the Austrian midfielder's registration.
Borussia Mönchengladbach 1-0 RB Leipzig
Goal: 1-0 Wolf (60')
Having seen Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich both overtake them earlier on Saturday, Leipzig came out fighting and Yussuf Poulsen was looking particularly sharp, assisted well by an enterprising Alexander Sorlorth. The Dane brought a fine one-handed save out of Yann Sommer with the first big chance of the game. Sorloth nearly teed up Poulsen midway through the first half, but the ball passed just agonisingly ahead of the Dane's outstretched right boot, as the guests continued to set the tone. Gladbach posed a considerable threat on the break, though, and offside decisions against Breel Embolo and Alassane Plea – the latter finding the back of the net before the flag was raised – prevented Leipzig from falling behind.
Leipzig's Scandinavian striking sleuths continued to spy out chances for the guests as the game entered the second half, but it was Gladbach, donning special edition black shirts to mark their 120th anniversary, who drew first blood. Patrick Herrmann deftly touched Plea's cross back for Wolf to score his first Bundesliga goal, against his parent club, with a well-placed finish into the far corner. Despite the setback, Leipzig refused to relent and Amadou Haidara tested Sommer before Sorloth, whose father played five times for Gladbach in the 80s, saw a shot deflected over the crossbar. The guests continued to knock and knock on the Foals' barn door, but they could not force it down, with Wolf's huff and puff proving enough.
Match stats
- Leipzig lost to Gladbach for the first time in their history after five wins and three draws before today.
- Wolf - making his first start since Matchday 1 - scored his first Bundesliga goal in his 11th game, with only his third shot.
- Herrmann's assist was his first involvement in a goal this season.
- Angelino, Emil Forsberg and Poulsen are Leipzig's top scorers in 2020/21, with two Bundesliga goals apiece.
- Gladbach are unbeaten in their last six home matches in the Bundesliga, dating back to last season.
Watch: Wolf: "Personally it was special for me"
Line-ups
Gladbach: Sommer - Lainer, Ginter, Elvedi (Wendt 45+1'), Bensebaini - Neuhaus (Kramer 73'), Hofmann - Herrmann (Lazaro 80'), Embolo (Thuram 73'), Wolf - Plea (Stindl 80')
Unused subs: Sippel, Lang, Reitz, Traore
Out: Poulsen (shoulder), Zakaria (knee)
Coach: Marco Rose
Leipzig: Gulacsi - Henrichs, Orban, Upamecano, Angelino - Sabitzer (c), Kampl (Haidara 66') - Samardzic (Nkunku 69'), Olmo (Forsberg 66') - Poulsen (Hwang 66'), Sorloth
Unused subs: Martinez, Konate, Martel, Wosz, Kluivert
Out: Klostermann (knee), Laimer (knee), Mukiele (hamstring)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann
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