Hack at the double as Gladbach down Heidenheim | OneFootball

Robin Hack's double propels Borussia Mönchengladbach to commanding victory in Heidenheim

Robin Hack scored twice as Borussia Mönchengladbach continued their impressive away form with a convincing 3-0 victory over Heidenheim.

Heidenheim 0-3 Borussia MönchengladbachGoals: 0-1 Hack 8’ (assist: Weigl), 0-2 Ngoumou 18’ (assist: Pléa), 0-3 Hack 59’ (assist: Netz)

Gladbach arrived at the Voith-Arena looking to continue their impressive away form, having won their last two Bundesliga matches on the road. The Foals faced a struggling  Heidenheim side, who were desperate to halt their slide towards the relegation zone. The match also marked a significant milestone for Gladbach's 18-year-old goalkeeper Tiago Pereira Cardoso, who made his Bundesliga debut. Adding to the intrigue was the return of Tim Kleindienst to face his former club, where he had been a prolific goalscorer during Heidenheim's promotion campaign.

The Voith-Arena, home of Heidenheim. (IMAGO/Eduard Martin)

Gladbach's clinical first-half display

Gladbach wasted no time in asserting their dominance, taking the lead after just eight minutes. Julian Weigl played a sublime pass that split the Heidenheim defence, allowing Hack to race clear and coolly slot past Kevin Müller. The visitors doubled their advantage in the 18th minute when Nathan Ngoumou combined brilliantly with Alassane Pléa before firing a powerful shot into the net. Heidenheim struggled to respond, with their best chance falling to Jonas Föhrenbach, who headed wide from close range. The hosts' frustration was evident when Frank Schmidt made an early tactical substitution, bringing on Léo Scienza for Luca Kerber in the 33rd minute.

Nathan Ngoumou celebrates his powerful strike that doubled Borussia Mönchengladbach's lead. (Sebastian Widmann)

Heidenheim's brief resurgence quelled

Heidenheim emerged from the break with renewed vigour, nearly pulling a goal back when Scienza's 30-yard free-kick rattled the crossbar. The hosts continued to press, with a VAR check for a potential penalty adding to the tension, but the decision went in Gladbach's favour. Their hopes were dashed in the 59th minute when Hack struck again. The in-form forward combined with Luca Netz before curling a low shot into the far corner, effectively sealing the match for Gladbach. Hack thought he had completed his hat-trick shortly after, but his effort was ruled out for offside following another VAR intervention. Heidenheim refused to give up, creating several chances, but found Cardoso alert on his debut. The young goalkeeper made a crucial save from Benedikt Gimber's powerful drive to maintain his clean sheet.

Robin Hack unleashes a shot, showcasing the clinical finishing that led to his brace. (IMAGO/Michael Weber IMAGEPOWER)

Player of the Match: Robin Hack

Hack's outstanding performance was instrumental in Gladbach's convincing victory. The forward displayed clinical finishing, intelligent movement, and excellent link-up play throughout the match. His two goals were taken with aplomb, the first a composed finish after a perfectly timed run, and the second a skilful curling effort that showcased his technique. Hack's contribution extended beyond his goals, as he consistently troubled the Heidenheim defence with his pace and positioning. The 25-year-old's display not only secured the three points for his team but also highlighted his growing importance to Gerardo Seoane's side.

Bundesliga Match FactsxGoals: Heidenheim 1.2 - Mönchengladbach 1.48Fastest player: Nathan Ngoumou (Gladbach), 34.7 km/hLowest goal probability: 0-2 by Nathan Ngoumou (Gladbach), 8 percentMost pressed player: Léo Scienza (Heidenheim), 20 times under pressurePass efficiency: Julian Weigl (Gladbach), 3.08

Fantasy Heroes: Robin Hack (Gladbach, 372 Points), Benedikt Gimber (Heidenheim, 213 Points), Nathan Ngoumou (Gladbach, 208 Points)

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