Pony slaughter

Welcome to terror dome my little pony friends! Despite having a bad record during the last weeks, Borussia Dortmund came back in style and smashed Mönchengladbach 3-0 in a one-sided match. 79.800 spectators saw an entertaining game with plenty of highlights.

Scenario/Line up

On the one hand Jürgen Klopp had do deal with Sven Bender’s injury, on the other hand skipper Sebastian Kehl was back in action. Together with Nuri Sahin he formed our double-six. Behind them Owomoyela, Subotic, Santana and Schmelzer. Our attack was made up by Großkreutz, Zidan, Kuba and Barrios.

Michael Frontzeck felt comfortable with his line-up against Freiburg and started without any change.

First Half

Borussia Dortmund started slow as the other Borussia stood well in midfield and defence. Minor approaches by Kuba and Barrios in the early minutes didn’t create any danger. But already in minute 13 Borussia Dortmund set a first highlight. Kevin Großkreutz, Dortmund-born shooting star, played a nice pass to Mohamed Zidan waiting in front of Gladbach’s box. The tiny Egyptian national paced to the left side of Gladbach’s box where he finished his run with a sharp, low cut-in. Gladbach’s defence was paralyzed when Großkreutz emerged 6 meters in front of Bailly’s goal and had no problem to score – 1 – 0 BVB! Surely the lead was deserved by now as Gladbach on the one hand stood well in defence but on the other hand didn’t put any energy into own attacks. And while Borussia Mönchengladbach wasn’t able or willing to score, this was the time when Zidan started his show. The agile forward had a first approach in minute 23, but his shot from long distance was still wide. In minute 35 Marcel Schmelzer initiated a superb attack over the left side, that ended with a nice low shot by the young left-back. Unfortunately Logan Bailly got his hand onto the ball and was able to clear. It was time for Gladbach’s first chance, but Bobadilla’s chance was denied by goalie Roman Weidenfeller. The following corner kick was also saved by Weidenfeller. Kuba and Subotic had another 2 distance shots that were both wide. The last arouser of the first half belonged Zidan. His rocket from 17 meters took all of Bailly’s skills to clear.

Second half

Borussia Dortmund started the second 45 minutes like they ended the first half. Black-yellow controlled midfield and started attacks every now and then, while Mönchengladbach didn’t do anything to create any danger. While an approach by Kevin Großkreutz in minute 52 was saved by Logan Bailly, it was now Mohamed Zidan’s time. The star of this match paced past Dante and Bradley and fired a fantastic shot from 17 meters distance. The ball curved past Logan Bailly and hit the goal in the upper left corner. No chance for the goalie to clear and 2 – 0 BVB! Though Großkreutz and Zidan were shining it was not yet Lucas Barrios’s day. But in minute 62 he had his first chance. A free kick by Nuri Sahin was touched by Barrios’ head and nearly found its way into Gladbach’s goal. But as Gladbach’s keeper got his fingers onto the ball it was still 2 – 0. And it was still all over BVB. In minute 70 Mohamed Zidan put the icing on the cake. Lucas Barrios played a superb pass cutting through the box. Zidan paced in and converted past Bailly – 3 – 0 BVB! The match was decided, especially as Gladbach made no effort to strike back. So Jürgen Klopp had the chance to brgin in Hajnal and Dede. Kuba and Zidan left the pitch. Rob Friend had a last approach for Gladbach while Lucas Barrios wasted his last chance. And so this Borussia duel ended with a more than deserved win for our black-yellow boys.

Summary

Absolutely deserved win. Borussia Mönchengladbach didn’t do anything to create own chances but were just hoping not to get smashed. Borussia Dortmund came back in style from that bitter derby loss last week and is still on spot 5, which would qualify for next season’s Euro League.

Voices

Jürgen Klopp: „He had to work hard and invested much. Because of that we had so much control of the match and scored beautiful goals. I really liked it.“

Michael Frontzeck: „Dortmund absolutely deserved the 3 points. We had a very bad day. During the last months we played on a constant high level, so this lousy match is ok. But we have to show another face next week against Wolfsburg. Especially during ball possesion we didn't look that good.”

Statistics

BVB: Weidenfeller [2] - Owomoyela [3], Subotic [2], Felipe Santana [2], Schmelzer [2] - Kehl [2], Sahin [3] - Kuba [4] (75. Dede), Zidan [4] (77. Hajnal), Großkreutz (85. Koch) - Barrios

Coach: Jürgen Klopp

Gladbach: Bailly - Levels, Brouwers, Dante, Daems - Meeuwis, Bradley (63. Matmour) - Reus (75. Jantschke), Arango - Bobadilla, Colautti (63. Friend)

Coach: Michael Frontzeck

(Marks: 1=world class, 2=did very well, 3=performance was ok, 4=not enough but not too bad at all, 5=not worth the money, 6=should pay money for playing football)

Goals: 1-0 Kehl (13., assist: Zidan), 2-0 Frei (54., Barrios), 3-0 Zidan (70., Barrios)

Yellow cards: - / Bradley, Dante, Bobadilla

Referee: Weiner

Attendance: 79.800 (Westfalenstadion)

jonam, 11.03.2010