Doekhi's Masterclass Exposes Gladbach's Relegation Nightmare

Moyen Score Futmetrix: 46/100. At Stadion An der Alten Försterei, Union Berlin dismantled a spiralling Borussia Mönchengladbach with clinical efficiency—the third-minute opener was merely the opening statement in a one-sided reckoning.

The Blitzkrieg Begins

Three minutes. That's all Union needed to seize control. Danilho Doekhi rose above the Gladbach defence to meet Trimmel's cross and plant the ball past the keeper—an indefensible start for the visitors. The intensity was suffocating. By the 26th minute, Doekhi had struck again, this time from an Ansah assist, converting with the composure of a striker despite wearing a defender's number. Two goals from a centre-back. Two different assists. One-way traffic.

Gladbach's Futile Resistance

Haris Tabakovic pulled one back in the 33rd minute after Engelhardt found him in the box—but it was mere window dressing on a masterclass in defensive dominance. Union's 16 shots to Gladbach's 8 told the real story. The 12 corners accumulated by the visitors spoke to their desperation, not their potency. Rani Khedira sealed the verdict in the 81st minute with Union's fourth, confirming what had been evident since minute three: this was a balance so skewed it bordered on cruel.

The Possession Paradox

Mönchengladbach dominated the ball—63% possession, 497 passes, 84% accuracy—yet created almost nothing of substance. Their 0.63 Expected Goals versus Union's 1.23 exposed the chasm between statistical control and match reality. Sitting 18th with just 3 points from 7 games, Gladbach's season is imploding. Union, despite patchy form (WLDWL), found ruthless efficiency when it mattered, turning the Alten Försterei into a fortress where possession meant nothing and intensity meant everything.