Gladbach loses against Mainz even in the light

Borussia Mönchengladbach suffered another defeat under interim coach Jan-Moritz Lichte, losing 3-4 to 1. FSV Mainz 05 in Bundesliga action on September 19, 2026. The match took place at the Borussia-Park before a crowd of 50,000 fans. Gladbach’s defense again proved vulnerable, conceding four goals, marking their fifth loss of the season and pushing them to the bottom of the table with 16 goals conceded this campaign. The game started with Gladbach taking the lead through Florian Neuhaus in the 11th minute, who scored after a deflected shot from Lukas Ullrich. However, Mainz quickly turned the tide, with Phillip Tietz scoring in the 18th minute and Sheraldo Becker netting just past the half-time whistle in the 45th plus one minute. After Isac Lidberg equalized for Gladbach in the 59th minute, Mainz extended their advantage through Eric Martel in the 78th and Danny da Costa in the 89th. A last-minute goal from Shuto Machino in the 90th plus five minutes brought Gladbach back to within one, but it came too late. Lichte made tactical adjustments, switching to a three-man defensive line featuring Ko Itakura, Kevin Diks, and Jan Lescczynski. He also included Florian Neuhaus in the starting XI, despite his recent struggles. Neuhaus, who had been sidelined since January, played a key role in Gladbach's early goal. His contribution came after he initiated an attack and deflected a shot into the net. Despite the initial success, Gladbach’s performance regressed. Mainz capitalized on defensive errors, with Becker and Kacper Potulski threatening repeatedly. The team struggled to maintain composure, allowing Mainz to exploit gaps in their defense. In the second half, Gladbach missed a golden opportunity when Diks fired a penalty wide, and later, Isac Lidberg equalized following a counterattack. Mainz’s goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow was called upon frequently, making several saves. The visitors' resilience paid off, securing the win and moving up to fifth place with seven points. Lichte acknowledged the defensive lapses, stating, “We need to defend against such attacks, and we didn’t do it.” He also expressed confidence in his future role as co-trainer. Mainz’s manager Urs Fischer praised his players’ efforts, calling the result a “rollercoaster” of emotions. He highlighted the team’s ability to hold onto the lead and secure the three points. Lichte confirmed that his tenure as interim coach would end during the international break, with club sporting director Rouven Schröder aiming to appoint a new head coach soon. Schröder admitted the situation was dire, noting Gladbach’s lack of points and the need for immediate improvement. Despite the setback, he noted that the season wasn't over yet. The club has already ruled out former coach Eugen Polanski and is considering other candidates, including Christian Eichner. The search for a new manager continues amid mounting pressure.