Borussia Mönchengladbach secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over 1. FC Heidenheim, helping coach Gerardo Seoane face less scrutiny. Tim Kleindienst scored twice, while Ko Itakura and Marvin Pieringer exchanged goals. Despite a late surge from Heidenheim, Gladbach held on for the win. Manager Roland Virkus reflected on the match’s tension and fan reactions, while Heidenheim’s coach acknowledged player mistakes. Next, Gladbach will face Mainz, and Heidenheim will host Hoffenheim.
Gerardo Seoane, the coach of Borussia Mönchengladbach, has bought himself some breathing room following a thrilling 3-2 victory against 1. FC Heidenheim in the Bundesliga, thanks to Tim Kleindienst’s impressive performance.
The match began with Léo Scienza putting Heidenheim ahead in the 12th minute, but Ko Itakura equalized shortly after. Kleindienst then took charge in the second half, scoring twice in the 62nd and 75th minutes. However, Marvin Pieringer kept things interesting by narrowing the gap in the 80th minute.
Virkus Addresses Fan Whistles
In the aftermath, Gladbach’s manager Roland Virkus reflected on the match, saying, ‘We did a lot right, but I am a bit annoyed that we made it unnecessarily tense at the end.’ Regarding the fan whistles directed at Seoane before the match, he stated, ‘We can’t influence external noise. It’s essential for us to stay united internally, and today the team demonstrated that.’
Heidenheim’s goalkeeper Kevin Müller, who is also Kleindienst’s long-time friend, remarked, ‘Tim told me he’d score three goals, so it was acceptable. Seriously, it was special to face him after ten years. Everyone gave their all for their club, and while I commend him, I’m obviously frustrated by our defeat.’
Match-winner Kleindienst expressed his mixed feelings, saying, ‘It’s tough to have hurt my former teammates, but changing clubs is part of football, so I’m thrilled with the win and my two goals.’
Schmidt Says Team Needs to Improve
Heidenheim coach Frank Schmidt echoed similar sentiments as Müller, noting, ‘We made too many mistakes leading up to the goals, even though we had a chance to equalize later. Tim Kleindienst is an exceptional player and brings ambition to any team. We’re not dwelling on this; we need to find better solutions.’
Seoane was encouraged by the performance, stating, ‘We learned from the Augsburg game about creating more danger from possession. We put up a strong fight against one of the league’s top teams, even if it got a bit chaotic at the end.’
Gladbach Makes Strategic Changes
Following a disappointing 2-1 draw against Augsburg, the atmosphere in Mönchengladbach had soured considerably, putting Seoane under scrutiny. Reports suggested a three-game ultimatum, which the club has declined to confirm. In response to the pressure, Seoane made five changes to the starting lineup, with two switches enforced due to injuries to Luca Netz and Nico Elvedi.
The players responded quickly; Franck Honorat took the first shot on goal just one minute into the match, with further attempts from Ko Itakura and Marvin Friedrich following soon after.
Heidenheim Capitalizes on Gladbach’s Mistake
Heidenheim initially struggled but capitalized on a rare mistake by Gladbach. Julian Weigl’s attempt to clear the ball went astray, leading to Jan Schöppner’s 20-meter shot, which was deflected by goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas. Scienza seized the opportunity to score, taking advantage of Nicolas’s misfortune.
Although Gladbach lost some momentum, Rocco Reitz, making a notable impact, assisted Alassane Plea. Itakura’s subsequent strike was saved by Kevin Müller, showcasing a close call for the visitors.
Kleindienst Shines Against Former Teammates
Both teams adopted a cautious approach leading up to halftime. After the break, Heidenheim had a golden opportunity to take the lead, but Adrian Beck’s volley flew over the crossbar from close range.
Kleindienst, who had been relatively quiet, sparked in the 62nd minute, executing a sublime back-heeled shot from Plea’s pass. Out of respect for his former teammates, he chose not to indulge in a wild celebration.
Penalty Drama Unfolds
Kleindienst added another goal shortly after, capitalizing on a penalty won by Plea against Mamon Busch. After a brief discussion, he confidently converted the penalty, leaving Müller with no chance.
Just when it seemed the match was secure for Gladbach, they made things tense again. Weigl’s handball in the penalty area