December was a pretty dismal month for Borussia Mönchengladbach, but the return of Jonas Hofmann has helped them get the new year off to a flyer.

His two goals and assist against Bayern Munich on Friday night took him to four goals and six assists this season, with a total of 14 direct hands in a goal in as many appearances, including the UEFA Champions League and the DFB Cup.

When Hofmann has been on the field, Gladbach have picked up five wins, drawn two and lost just twice. He is been an in-house cure for the Foals' drawing disease, with no fewer than four ties, one win and one defeat coming from the six games he has been forced to miss through injury at the end of November and the whole month of December.

Watch: Hofmann: "We're absolutely delighted"

At the age of 28, Hofmann is in his footballing prime, and his season's statistics underline this.

Twelve of his 20 shots have hit the target, with half of those rippling the back of the net. That goes some way to explaining how he made the world's best goalkeeper Manuel Neuer look merely human, with two composed finishes showing zero intimidation when faced with just the Bayern and Germany No.1 to beat.

It was nothing particularly unusual for a player who has hit top gear this term.

All said, 45 of Hofmann's interventions have led to a shot on goal from a fellow Foal. "Hoffi's in very good form and he's, without doubt, an important player for us," admitted Gladbach coach Marco Rose to Kicker magazine after last weekend's 1-0 win over Arminia Bielefeld, when Hofmann teed up Breel Embolo for the only goal of the game.

Watch: All of Hofmann's goals and assists so far in 2020/21

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After Friday night's win, Rose had even more praise to heap on his protégé.

"With the depth he gives to our game, he's a really important factor for us," he said. "We missed him in December."

That injury-ravaged month is now well and truly behind Hofmann and Gladbach, with Friday night's fightback evidence of a new personal and collective level of belief in the new calendar year.

"I'm delighted," Hofmann told DAZN. "Many would have written us off at 2-0 down, but we scored our first two goals just the way we wanted them. Of course it's great that we scored again right at the start of the second half, and then we fought hard at the back to hold on."

Hold on they did to a precious three points which not only lifted them to within striking distance of the European places, but gave them the belief to push on and aim even further.

"This game's a sign that we've got to stick at it," added Rose. "I'm delighted for the lads – they deserved this win. So often we've lacked that bit of luck, but we earned it tonight."

If it's true that you make your own luck, then that is certainly easier when you have Hofmann's help.

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