Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-1 FC Köln: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Bwin’s post-match review of Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-1 FC Köln in the Bundesliga on Saturday, 08 November 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Borussia Mönchengladbach secured a convincing 3-1 victory over FC Köln at home, extending their winning streak to two matches after defeating St. Pauli. The result was not entirely surprising given Gladbach’s recent form, which included a heavy loss to Bayern München but showed resilience in bouncing back. Key moments included goals in the 45th and 64th minutes, alongside a crucial penalty in the 61st minute, which helped Gladbach maintain control. This win breaks FC Köln’s run of mixed results, highlighting Gladbach’s ability to capitalise on home advantage and their opponents’ vulnerabilities.

Despite FC Köln’s higher possession, Borussia Mönchengladbach’s efficiency in front of goal proved decisive. The home side’s ability to score three times, including from a penalty, underscored their clinical approach. FC Köln, coming off a win against Hamburger SV, struggled to convert their dominance in possession into a positive result, with their only response coming from a late penalty in the 90th minute. This match showcased Gladbach’s tactical discipline and effectiveness in counter-attacking, a stark contrast to their previous loss against Bayern München.

Borussia Mönchengladbach, despite having only 36% possession, managed to outscore FC Köln, who dominated with 64% possession. This disparity highlights Gladbach’s efficiency in converting limited opportunities into goals. FC Köln’s higher number of corners (6 to Gladbach’s 2) and more successful dribbles (42% to Gladbach’s 55%) suggest they controlled the game’s tempo but failed to penetrate Gladbach’s defence effectively.

The match saw a total of five yellow cards, with FC Köln receiving three, indicating a slightly more aggressive approach from the visitors. Both teams made multiple substitutions, with FC Köln making one more than Gladbach, possibly in an attempt to change the game’s dynamics. However, it was Gladbach’s two assists that made the difference, showcasing their ability to create scoring opportunities despite less possession.

The match’s turning point came in the 45th minute when Borussia Mönchengladbach scored their first goal, setting the tone for the second half. This was followed by a penalty in the 61st minute, which Gladbach converted, further solidifying their lead. The second goal in the 64th minute effectively sealed the victory, demonstrating Gladbach’s ability to capitalise on crucial moments.

FC Köln’s late penalty in the 90th minute was a mere consolation, unable to change the outcome of the game. These key moments underscore Gladbach’s clinical finishing and their ability to exploit Köln’s defensive lapses at critical junctures.

Borussia Mönchengladbach deployed a 5-3-2 formation, which provided a solid defensive structure while allowing for quick transitions to attack. The lineup, featuring Moritz Nicolas in goal and a backline including Joe Scally and Nico Elvedi, contributed to a disciplined performance. The midfield trio of Rocco Reitz, Yannik Engelhardt, and Florian Neuhaus played a pivotal role in controlling the game’s tempo and setting up the two assists that led to goals.

FC Köln opted for a 3-5-2 formation, aiming to dominate possession and press high up the pitch. The lineup, with Marvin Schwäbe in goal and a back three including Joël Schmied and Cenk Özkacar, struggled to contain Gladbach’s counter-attacks. Despite the efforts of midfielders like Denis Huseinbasic and Florian Kainz, Köln’s inability to convert possession into goals was evident, highlighting tactical shortcomings in their approach.

Florian Neuhaus of Borussia Mönchengladbach was named Man of the Match for his pivotal role in the team’s victory. His contribution to the midfield was crucial, with his involvement in both assists showcasing his playmaking abilities. Neuhaus’s performance was instrumental in breaking down FC Köln’s defence and maintaining Gladbach’s momentum throughout the match.

Recent Bundesliga matches:

• Win: 3-1 vs FC Köln (H)
• Win: 4-0 vs St. Pauli (A)
• Loss: 0-3 vs FC Bayern München (H)
• Loss: 1-3 vs FC Union Berlin (A)

Recent Bundesliga matches:

• Loss: 1-3 vs Borussia Mönchengladbach (A)
• Win: 4-1 vs Hamburger SV (H)
• Loss: 0-1 vs Borussia Dortmund (A)
• Draw: 1-1 vs FC Augsburg (H)

Currently 12th in the league with 9 points, they will face Heidenheim, who are 18th with 5 points, on November 22, 2025 at 14:30.

Currently 9th in the league with 14 points, they will face Eintracht Frankfurt, who are 8th with 14 points, on November 22, 2025 at 17:30.

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