Hoffenheim left Borussia-Park with a 2-1 win on Sunday, using Alexander Prass twice in the decisive moments of Matchday 6. The Austrian set up Bambasé Conté’s early opener, then scored the winner five minutes after Borussia Mönchengladbach had drawn level.
Gladbach began with Florian Neuhaus involved in much of their forward work. His passes created early blocked efforts for Hugo Bolin and Lukas Ullrich, while Isac Lidberg tested Oliver Baumann from distance. Hoffenheim carried the sharper threat in transition. Conté arrived in the middle to finish Prass’s cross in the 11th minute.
Fisnik Asllani drove the visitors through the first half. He created Adam Hlozek’s long-range attempt, struck a free-kick against the crossbar in the 42nd minute and was booked before the interval. Hoffenheim also had chances through Mats Rots and Koki Machida, but Moritz Nicolas kept Gladbach within reach.
Prass settles the contest
Gladbach found their response shortly after the restart. Wael Mohya received Neuhaus’s pass on the left of the box and beat Baumann with a right-footed finish in the 49th minute. The home side made an attacking change two minutes later, with Shuto Machino replacing Lidberg.
The equaliser did not alter Hoffenheim’s approach. Hlozek forced Nicolas into saves either side of the hour, then led the counterattack for the winning goal in the 54th minute. His pass released Prass, who finished left-footed from inside the area to restore the visitors’ lead.
Hoffenheim brought on Andrej Kramaric and Ozan Kabak in the 78th minute, while Adam Daghim had earlier replaced Asllani. Gladbach turned to Daiki Hashioka, Robin Hack, Iaia Danfa and Mathieu Nguefack, with the late changes including academy-age options in Danfa and Nguefack. The home side pressed late: Joe Scally had a close-range shot blocked before an 86th-minute corner, but Hoffenheim held their line through three minutes of added time.
Robin Hack, Shuto Machino and Kevin Diks were booked for Gladbach. Prass and Asllani saw yellow for Hoffenheim. The result was settled at 2-1 after 94 minutes at Borussia-Park.
