Reuter strikes twice, Wagner saves the penalty: Viktoria win 2-0 in Mönchengladbach

FC Viktoria Berlin won 2-0 (2-0) away at Borussia Mönchengladbach on matchday 8 of the 2. Frauen-Bundesliga and remain league leaders with 21 points. One week after their cup exit against Bayer 04 Leverkusen, the team coached by Miren Ćatović gave the perfect response and celebrated their seventh league win in eight games.

Cloudy skies over Mönchengladbach, 20 degrees and around 350 spectators at the Grenzlandstadion: Viktoria turned up in black against the hosts, dressed in white and green, who were in 10th place before the game. Both teams were coming off a cup defeat against a top-flight side. Gladbach, however, had put up a long fight against defending champions FC Bayern in their 1-2 loss and had even led at half-time. Last season, our away fixture against Borussia Mönchengladbach ended 1-1. This year, too, the match was streamed live on Leagues.

Dream start thanks to Reuter

Viktoria got off to a flying start: Melina Reuter scored the early opener as soon as the 1st minute. Shortly afterwards, Berlin were awarded a penalty, which Reuter converted herself in the 7th minute to make it 2-0. After just seven minutes, the brace and a comfortable lead were in place. Shortly before the break, Gladbach's Lili Jones-Baidoe was shown a yellow card for a foul (45+1), and then the teams headed into the dressing rooms at 2-0.

Fresh legs and Wagner's big moment

For the second half, coach Ćatović made two changes: Chantal Schouwstra and Nina Ehegötz came on for Senanur Yavuz and Aneta Polášková. In the 57th minute, Sarah Stöckmann and Kim Urbanek followed for Antonia Halverkamps and Leyila Aydin, and in the 76th minute Anna Höfker replaced Alisa Grincenco. Gladbach also made five substitutions, but it didn't change the scoreline.

Melanie Wagner became the heroine of the afternoon: in the 86th minute, Gladbach were awarded a penalty, and the Viktoria goalkeeper made a superb save. She also thwarted several other chances, denying the hosts a consolation goal.

Viktoria stay on top

With 21 points and a goal difference of 14:5, Viktoria defend the top spot. Hertha BSC follow level on points, having won 3-1 against Hoffenheim II in parallel. The better goal difference (Hertha: 16:9) keeps Viktoria in front for now. Gladbach remain in 10th place with 7 points.

Outlook: Pinktober home game against Ingolstadt – come along!

After the international break, play resumes on Sunday, 18 October, at 2 p.m. at Stadion Lichterfelde: our Pinktober home game against FC Ingolstadt 04. Together with Pink Ribbon Deutschland, we will be raising awareness for breast cancer screening and prevention. So: everyone to Lichterfelde! Tickets are available at tickets.fcviktoria.com.

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Goals:

1:0 Melina Reuter (1')

2:0 Melina Reuter (7', penalty)

Starting XI:

Wagner, Ihlenburg, Fürst, Reuter, Grincenco (76' Höfker), Krist, Halverkamps (57' Stöckmann), Polášková (46' Ehegötz), Yavuz (46' Schouwstra), Aydin (57' Urbanek), Casanovas