Defending champions Sevilla FC were too good for Borussia Mönchengladbach in the last 32 of the Europa League. The five-time German champions lost the first leg 1-0 in Spain and despite a strong performance, they went down 3-2 at home in the second leg and missed out on the chance of qualifying for the last 16 of a European competition for the first time in 20 years.
Granit Xhaka (19’) and Thorgan Hazard (29’) replied to goals from Carlos Bacca (8’) and Vitolo (26’). Despite a battling performance, the hosts were unable to find the score sheet again and after Xhaka saw red for a second bookable offence in the 68th minute, Vitolo settled the game with his second goal of the game with just over ten minutes to play (79’).
“It’s a fair result to be knocked out after two games and 180 minutes,” said World Champion Christoph Kramer. “We were a bit too attacking. We always had to come from behind and we were always one goal away.”
Manager Lucien Favre wanted his side to play “intelligently with tempo and patience.” But his team were behind after the first attack of the game in front of the 45,337 fans at Borussia-Park. Alex Vidal’s cross was turned in by a combination of captain Martin Stranzl and Sevilla player Bacca, but the goal has been awarded to the Columbian by UEFA.
Gladbach went in search of the gaps against Spanish defensive fortress
After taking the lead, the side who sit fifth in the Primera Division began to sit back with two banks of four. Gladbach went in search of the gaps and they did so through Granit Xhaka, who scored the equaliser after some lovely build-up play with Patrick Herrmann.
But Borussia didn’t learn from their mistakes in the opening stages and paid the ultimate price as the visitors took the lead once again with their second attack of the game. Alvaro Dominguez should have perhaps done better in a battle with goal scorer Vitolo. But the hosts, roared on by their fans, showed some fight and once again levelled up the scores on the night. The equaliser from Hazard gave the hosts some hope as they had time on their side.
“If we’d made it 3-2 then I’m sure that we could have done it,” believes Gladbach manager Lucien Favre. “We were the better side over the two legs. But we have to keep our concentration for 90 minutes.”
Hazard hits the post
It was the same story after the break. Sevilla had all of their side in their own half and tried to hit Gladbach on the counter. Gladbach threw the kitchen sink at their opponents in order to try and break through the defensive fortress. Favre’s men had the momentum and came close on a few occasions from the edge of the box. Germany international Max Kruse missed the chance to score the third as he shot just over (60’), Xhaka shot straight at Rico (62’) and Hazard’s shot came back off the post (74’). At the other end, Sommer made a great save to deny Aleix Vidal after a mistake from Dominguez (64’), Iborra fired a shot onto the bar (77’) before Vitolo settled the game.
