Borussia Mönchengladbach ended a run of three straight competitive defeats with a 3-2 win over Darmstadt in the final Bundesliga game of 2015. The Fohlenelf climb back into fourth place with the win, with 29 points on the board. Darmstadt drop into 13th place with 18 points.
Gladbach struggled to find a breakthrough against a compact Darmstadt defence, as the visitors sat back and absorbed pressure while looking to play on the counter attack. Nonetheless, Gladbach created the first chances in front of 53,610 spectators with Granit Xhaka and Lars Stindl having their efforts denied in the opening ten minutes.
Heller scores against the run of play
Raffael's shot went just inches wide after 23 minutes, as Gladbach were now firmly pushing for the opener. Instead, Darmstadt took the lead as Marcel Heller converted clinically at the other end following a throw-in which was flicked on by Sandro Wagner to the far post.
The situation got worse for Gladbach as skipper Xhaka was sent off ten minutes later, leaving the Fohlenelf down to just ten men. However, an unimpressed Gladbach continued to play forward and levelled the score just before the break through Stindl. Six minutes after the restart, Gladbach took the lead as Havard Nordtveit scored from a direct free kick.
A goal down, Darmstadt now looked for the equaliser and were rewarded for their efforts as Wagner made it 2-2 midway through the second half. But the depleted hosts were not willing to give in to a single point and retook the lead in the 86th minute through Oscar Wendt's winner.
Hertha spend Christmas in 3rd place
Hertha BSC, the season's surprise package, recorded a 2-0 home win against 1. FSV Mainz 05, which will see them spend Christmas and the winter break sitting in third place on 32 points. Mainz drop back into eighth place on 24 points.
The hosts were in control in the opening 45 minutes, with Mainz rarely being able to hold onto the ball in Hertha's half. Salomon Kalou and Genki Haraguchi missed early chances to take the lead for Hertha, who pushed Mainz back deep into their own half at times.
Impressive Hertha leave Mainz chanceless
The visitors were unable to unfold in their game forward and often lost the ball early in midfield, as Hertha looked very aggressive and determined in their challenges. Vladimir Darida bagged the fully deserved opener after 34 minutes.
Borussia Mönchengladbach ended a run of three straight competitive defeats with a 3-2 win over Darmstadt in the final Bundesliga game of 2015. The Fohlenelf climb back into fourth place with the win, with 29 points on the board. Darmstadt drop into 13th place with 18 points.
Gladbach struggled to find a breakthrough against a compact Darmstadt defence, as the visitors sat back and absorbed pressure while looking to play on the counter attack. Nonetheless, Gladbach created the first chances in front of 53,610 spectators with Granit Xhaka and Lars Stindl having their efforts denied in the opening ten minutes.
Heller scores against the run of play
Raffael's shot went just inches wide after 23 minutes, as Gladbach were now firmly pushing for the opener. Instead, Darmstadt took the lead as Marcel Heller converted clinically at the other end following a throw-in which was flicked on by Sandro Wagner to the far post.
The situation got worse for Gladbach as skipper Xhaka was sent off ten minutes later, leaving the Fohlenelf down to just ten men. However, an unimpressed Gladbach continued to play forward and levelled the score just before the break through Stindl. Six minutes after the restart, Gladbach took the lead as Havard Nordtveit scored from a direct free kick.
A goal down, Darmstadt now looked for the equaliser and were rewarded for their efforts as Wagner made it 2-2 midway through the second half. But the depleted hosts were not willing to give in to a single point and retook the lead in the 86th minute through Oscar Wendt's winner.
Hertha spend Christmas in 3rd place
Hertha BSC, the season's surprise package, recorded a 2-0 home win against 1. FSV Mainz 05, which will see them spend Christmas and the winter break sitting in third place on 32 points. Mainz drop back into eighth place on 24 points.
The hosts were in control in the opening 45 minutes, with Mainz rarely being able to hold onto the ball in Hertha's half. Salomon Kalou and Genki Haraguchi missed early chances to take the lead for Hertha, who pushed Mainz back deep into their own half at times.
Impressive Hertha leave Mainz chanceless
The visitors were unable to unfold in their game forward and often lost the ball early in midfield, as Hertha looked very aggressive and determined in their challenges. Vladimir Darida bagged the fully deserved opener after 34 minutes.
The second half continued with Hertha in control and this time they used their first opportunity to double their advantage, with Vedad Ibisevic supplying his second assist of the game, this time setting up Kalou for his ninth goal of the campaign. The boys from the capital had chances to score more goals, but in the end claimed a more than deserved 2-0 win to round off a great season for them so far.
