Borussia Mönchengladbach had a harsh return to Europe's top club competition. The team that finished third in the Bundesliga last season lost 3-0 to Sevilla, having had three penalties given against them, one of which was missed. Goals for Kevin Gameiro, Ever Banega and Yevhen Konoplyanka sunk the team who have already lost four out of their four league games this season. Despite scoring his first, Gameiro missed his second penalty as it struck the bar.
Gladbach with a good start
Lucien Favre’s team brought the game to the Europa League winners in the opening stages, but in end were ineffectual up front and had a disillusioning second half, for much of which they rode their luck. Considering the two giants of Manchester City and Juventus are also in their group, even achieving third place will now be gargantuan task.
In front of nearly 37,000 fans at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, Gladbach seemed more stable and much grittier than they have done in recent weeks, but from the 25th minute onwards, Sevilla were in control.
Vitolo hits the post
The Bundesliga side got lucky as early as the fifth minute when Vitolo’s shot bounced off the post and Sevilla captain Reyes put the rebound far over the bar. In an end-to-end start to the game, The Foals had some good chances through Brouwers and Ibrahima Traoré, but couldn’t make the most of their opportunities.
Their biggest mistake was losing possession unnecessarily in midfield, which Sevilla were able to take advantage of. The home side began to take control of the game and Gameiro headed into the side netting, and shortly after volleyed just over the bar.
Three penalties in 19 minutes
Immediately after the interval, Gameiro was in the limelight. After Lars Stindl needlessly lost the ball, Vitolo took it round the Sommer in the Gladbach goal, but the keeper tripped him on the way through. The referee blew for a penalty and Gameiro tucked it away in the top corner. Just three minutes later, Brouwers fouled Vitolo in the area and the referee gave another penalty – but this time Gameiro’s shot rifled off the bar and out. But it still wasn’t over – a foul in the box on Gameiro by Tony Jantschke caused the referee to point to the spot for a third time. Banega made no mistake, leaving Sommer with no chance. In the closing stages of the match, Konoplyanka got his side’s third goal of the night when his cross was fumbled into the net by Sommer to top off an all-round terrible Champions League debut for Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Borussia Mönchengladbach had a harsh return to Europe's top club competition. The team that finished third in the Bundesliga last season lost 3-0 to Sevilla, having had three penalties given against them, one of which was missed. Goals for Kevin Gameiro, Ever Banega and Yevhen Konoplyanka sunk the team who have already lost four out of their four league games this season. Despite scoring his first, Gameiro missed his second penalty as it struck the bar.
Gladbach with a good start
Lucien Favre’s team brought the game to the Europa League winners in the opening stages, but in end were ineffectual up front and had a disillusioning second half, for much of which they rode their luck. Considering the two giants of Manchester City and Juventus are also in their group, even achieving third place will now be gargantuan task.
In front of nearly 37,000 fans at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, Gladbach seemed more stable and much grittier than they have done in recent weeks, but from the 25th minute onwards, Sevilla were in control.
Vitolo hits the post
The Bundesliga side got lucky as early as the fifth minute when Vitolo’s shot bounced off the post and Sevilla captain Reyes put the rebound far over the bar. In an end-to-end start to the game, The Foals had some good chances through Brouwers and Ibrahima Traoré, but couldn’t make the most of their opportunities.
Their biggest mistake was losing possession unnecessarily in midfield, which Sevilla were able to take advantage of. The home side began to take control of the game and Gameiro headed into the side netting, and shortly after volleyed just over the bar.
Three penalties in 19 minutes
Immediately after the interval, Gameiro was in the limelight. After Lars Stindl needlessly lost the ball, Vitolo took it round the Sommer in the Gladbach goal, but the keeper tripped him on the way through. The referee blew for a penalty and Gameiro tucked it away in the top corner. Just three minutes later, Brouwers fouled Vitolo in the area and the referee gave another penalty – but this time Gameiro’s shot rifled off the bar and out. But it still wasn’t over – a foul in the box on Gameiro by Tony Jantschke caused the referee to point to the spot for a third time. Banega made no mistake, leaving Sommer with no chance. In the closing stages of the match, Konoplyanka got his side’s third goal of the night when his cross was fumbled into the net by Sommer to top off an all-round terrible Champions League debut for Borussia Mönchengladbach.
