Monchengladbach 3 : 1 Mainz - Foals in the running for Europe

Posted Sunday, May 04, 2014 by PA

Borussia Monchengladbach ensured they remain in the hunt for fourth spot for the last weekend of the Bundesliga season after a 3-1 win over Mainz.

Goals from Martin Stranzl, Max Kruse and Christoph Kramer helped strengthen the Foals' push for the last Champions League place.

That spot continues to be occupied by Bayer Leverkusen, who have a one-point lead over Wolfsburg and three between them and Gladbach.

Mainz cut the deficit temporarily in the 64th minute through Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting. The Carnival Club themselves are still in pole position to secure European football next season.

Mainz coach Thomas Tuchel looked to frustrate Gladbach at Borussia-Park with a more conservative approach in defence.

However, they were undone after 22 minutes when Kruse crossed towards Alejandro Dominguez at the back post and the Spanish defender teed up his centre-back partner Stranzl, who converted.

Five minutes before half-time and Gladbach midfielder Christoph Kramer found himself one-on-one against Lorius Karius - and the former Bochum man was denied.

But moments before the break, the Foals had to thank their departing goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen - he was in tears before kick-off when saying his farewells - who pulled off a smashing stop to deny Elkin Soto from point-blank range.

Lucien Favre's men picked up where they had left off after the break, scoring a second in the 54th minute.

A swift counter-attack brought Kruse into play on the edge of the box and the attacker smashed in an excellent left foot shot.

The two-goal lead was cut 10 minutes later as Choupo-Moting rose highest in the penalty box to head in Christoph Moritz's right-footed delivery.

Gladbach secured the three points in the 75th minute through Kramer, who fired the ball low from the right-side of the box to set up a fascinating final game of the season against fellow Champions League hopefuls Wolfsburg.