Borussia Dortmund 1-0 Borussia Monchengladbach: 3 Reasons why the hosts won | Bundesliga 2019/2020

#2 Monchengladbach’s lack of conviction in the final third

Breel Embolo

Borussia Monchengladbach came into the game at the Signal Iduna Park having scored 15 goals in 7 games, thereby averaging just a touch more than two goals per game. Hence, many envisioned that they would put Dortmund’s wobbly rear-guard under strife.

And, while that did transpire to an extent, they failed to find the final spark in the offensive third, meaning that they wasted several opportunities.

The visitors enjoyed the better of the early exchanges and mounted quite a few attacks in the opening minutes. However, they failed to showcase composure at those crucial junctures, in the process, disabling themselves from bulging the net.

In the first half, the away side had three clear-cut chances, two of which fell to Breel Embolo. Yet, the Swiss striker portrayed dubious decision making to fluff his lines on both occasions.

As the game progressed, the encounter became stretched and Monchengladbach were accorded space on the flanks. Unfortunately, though, they were profligate when presented with such openings.

Moreover, Lainer, who was a constant outlet down the right wing, whipped in numerous delicious crosses. Yet, none of the away side’s forwards were brave enough to gamble, allowing Dortmund to shut the door.

The defeat on Saturday enabled Wolfsburg to draw level with Monchengladbach and the latter only have themselves to blame, after a performance in which the only constant was a lack of conviction in the attacking third.