Fortuna Shut Out Gladbach Again in the Rhine Derby
Aviad Biton’s 74th-minute strike gave Fortuna Düsseldorf a third win over Borussia Mönchengladbach in their last four meetings.
“These games are decided by the details.” Fortuna Düsseldorf found one in the 74th minute and left Borussia Mönchengladbach with another derby defeat, 1-0, on Sunday.
A tight contest had offered little room for error. Blaž Jandrić supplied the pass and Biton finished for the only goal, settling a rivalry that has recently tilted towards Düsseldorf. Fortuna won 3-1 on 4 August and 1-0 on 25 March; Gladbach’s 1-1 draw on 4 November is their sole result without defeat in the four most recent meetings.
Gladbach had more of the ball, completing 675 passes to Fortuna’s 403, but possession did not bring a clear-cut chance. The visitors managed three shots on target from six attempts. Fortuna put four of their five efforts on target, and the one that mattered came late enough to make the closing minutes uncomfortable.
Jandrić was central to the work as well as the goal: he made six interceptions and supplied two key passes. Biton also had two key passes to go with his finish. Fortuna’s Jonathas Garcia earned the highest match rating, while Gladbach’s Jack Galvan completed 104 of 107 passes without finding a way through.
The result continues a brisk run of Düsseldorf authority in this fixture, rather than settling anything beyond the latest meeting. For Gladbach, the frustration will be plain: more of the ball, no clear-cut opening, and a second defeat to the same neighbours in less than a month. Fortuna’s summer signing from Cádiz, introduced to readers in July as a worker, supplied the decisive touch when the derby required one.