Gladbach’s revival rolls on with routine win at Heidenheim | OneFootball

It was another assured performance from a revitalised Gladbach side who look to have turned a real corner under Eugen Polanski. Goals from Kevin Diks, Haris Tabaković and Shuto Machino sealed what ultimately proved a comfortable afternoon.

With both teams fighting at the wrong end of the table, the first half unfolded in predictably cagey fashion. Neither side wanted to take unnecessary risks, though Gladbach still carved out the better moments. Their first big chance came after 15 minutes when Jens Castrop burst into the box and cut the ball back for Tabaković, whose first-time effort crashed off the crossbar to give the hosts an early scare.

The game drifted again until the momentum shifted right on the stroke of half-time. Gladbach were awarded a penalty in added time after Jan Schöppner was judged to have used excessive force on Nico Elvedi at a corner. Diks stepped up and coolly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead that left Heidenheim furious with the decision.

Heidenheim came out with real intent after the restart, with Patrick Mainka meeting a whipped free-kick and forcing Moritz Nicolas into a superb stop. But just as the hosts began to grow into the contest, Gladbach struck again. After a patient move, Castrop threaded a clever ball to Rocco Reitz, who flicked it neatly into the path of Tabaković. The striker made no mistake, finishing calmly from close range to claim his seventh league goal and double the advantage.

From there, Heidenheim kept pushing but looked increasingly vulnerable on the break. Gladbach were content to bide their time and eventually put the game to bed in the 76th minute with another well-crafted move. Franck Honorat’s delicate touch released substitute Shuto Machino inside the box, and the Japanese forward poked the ball past Ramaj to make it 3-0, a scoreline that remained unchanged at the final whistle.

It marks another crucial win for Gladbach, who show no signs of slowing down in their climb away from the relegation scrap. Three victories on the bounce move them up to 11th for now. For Heidenheim and Frank Schmidt, it was another frustrating afternoon, with their ongoing lack of goals becoming a serious concern as they extend their winless run to six and remain anchored to the bottom of the table.