Borussia Mönchengladbach's dominance and perseverance finally paid dividends as Max Kruse fired home in stoppage time to secure Bayern Munich’s 24th Bundesliga title and also cement Gladbach’s place in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Wolfsburg started the game knowing that if they failed to beat Borussia Mönchengladbach then they would surrender the Bundesliga title to the leaders Bayern Munich who beat Hertha Berlin 1-0 yesterday.
The nerves could be sensed between both teams. Lucian Favre’s side knew that if they avoided defeat they would cement their place in next years Champions League. The opening ten minutes were evenly poised, both sides battling it out in the middle of the park but it was the hosts who had the larger of the possession. It was Gladbach who had the opening chance, a delivery to the far post was met by American Fabian Johnson who’s looping volley had Diego Benaglio staggering back but it could loop onto the roof of the Wolfsburg net.
It took another ten minutes for another chance to come but again it was from the hosts, Fabian Johnson, the man again with the chance. He was set through on goal, he scuffed his chance but as it trickled wide Max Kruse steamed to the back post, and he couldn’t stretch far enough and poked wide from close out.
Wolfsburg finished the half on a high. Kevin De Bruyne’s corner was cleared but no further than Ricardo Rodriguez who unleashed a venomous volley but his effort was always rising and fizzed over the bar.
Bastian Dankert brought the half to a close. The half brought little excitement but a lot of individual battles. However, the first period remained goal-less. The hosts had the majority of the first half pressure often pushing Dieter Hecking’s side on the edge of their own penalty area.
The second half started brighter than the first. It was Gladbach who started with a clear intent. Five minutes after the restart, the first real chance for the home side came through Patrick Hermann, Granit Xhaka crossed deep evading Ricardo Rodriguez and Hermann struck on the half volley, unfortunately it was straight at Benaglio and the Swiss international parried clear. Minutes later, Gladbach had another golden opportunity. Favre’s side with the outstanding interplay and build up, Johnson cheekily back heeled into the path of his left side compatriot Oscar Wendt but the under heavy pressure the Swede could only outside foot the ball over the Wolfsburg crossbar. The Foals kept piling on the pressure, after a brief spell of head tennis in and around the Wolfsburg penalty area, Julian Korb scuffed his volley into the floor but Christoph Kramer flicked on, Benaglio uneasily tipped over the bar.
Wolfsburg were not going down without a fight, Nicklas Bendtner took one touch to control, then one out of his feet but by that time he was closed down but the ‘Great Dane’ managed to get his shot off, it took a heavy deflection and looped over the Gladbach goal, Yann Sommer anxiously saw the effort over his goal and was happy for his side to concede a corner.
Shortly after the hour mark, Gladbach continued their onslaught of the Wolfsburg defence. Max Kruse danced past to players from the far side to get it onto his left foot but the German international could only drag his shot wide. Then, Raffael left Christian Träsch on his backside after brilliantly controlling Christoph Kramer’s diagonal ball but Robert Knoche recovered well to block his shot and clear the danger. With just fifteen minutes to play, Hermann brilliantly beat his marker and burst down the line, he looked for Max Kruse, the main avenue for Wolfsburg pressure in this match, he got in front of his marker but his shot could only rattle the advertising hoardings, Kruse failed to get enough of his foot wrapped round the ball to test Benaglio.
A minute before the end, Gladbach finally broke the deadlock. Brilliant build up play from the Foals, Ibrahima Traore’s cross deflected, Fabian Johnson with an outstanding dink into space and that man, Max Kruse was at hand to poke home under Diego Benaglio to send Borussia Park into Pandemonium. Moments later, Kruse had another chance, he found himself in space maneuverer the ball onto his left foot but could only fire into Benaglio’s hands.