Six Bundesliga matches without a win had turned Die Adler from top-six elect to relative outsiders, a situation compounded by their 3-1 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen last weekend.
With much more to fight for than their opponents, it was Frankfurt who started the brighter of the two sides, but their intent to push for the game’s opening goal left them short at the back.
The visitors took advantage of this less than 15 minutes in, with some quick passing allowing Marcus Thuram to race away from the retreating defenders and square to Jonas Hofmann, who simply passed into the empty net.
Oliver Glasner immediately instructed his side to push for an equaliser, but the 2022 UEFA Europa League winners found meaningful chances hard to come by for the majority of the first period.
Gladbach goalkeeper Jonas Omlin stretched to save a Djibril Sow effort, but undoubtedly the best chance for the home side fell to top-scorer and talisman Kolo Muani.
A tricky run from Rafael Santos Borre gave Aurélio Buta the chance to play a ball straight to the feet of Kolo Muani, but the France international scuffed his shot too close to Omlin.
Gladbach had spent much of the first half backed up in their own box, but they pivoted to a more expansive style after the break and stifled their opponents’ rhythm in doing so.
Nevertheless, the visitors were almost left red faced when the ball ricocheted off Ramy Bensebaini and almost lobbed his own keeper, while Eric Dina Ebimbe had his rasping effort tipped over the bar.
A mixture of poor finishing and the imperious form of Omlin was proving to be Frankfurt’s undoing, and this was exemplified as they had their best opportunity of the match.
Kolo Muani struck Buta’s cross against the post, and Dina Ebimbe’s shot on the rebound was subject to a tremendous save by the Gladbach goalkeeper from point-blank range.
With little time remaining for the Eagles to reply, they needed their key players to step up, and it fell to Kolo Muani to finally beat Omlin, as he controlled Faride Alidou’s cross and slotted in at the near post to lift Glasner’s men to within a point of the top-six, albeit having played a game more than most of their rivals.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Jonas Omlin (Borussia Monchengladbach)
