BERLIN (AP) — Tim Kleindienst starred in Borussia Mönchengladbach’s 4-1 win over Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga on Sunday.
Kleindienst was involved in every goal as Gladbach recovered from its German Cup defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt to ease some of the pressure on coach Gerardo Seoane after nine rounds of the league. His team has lost as many league games – four – as it has won so far this season.
Gladbach capitalized on mistakes in the Bremen defense to race into an early two-goal lead.
Kleindienst made the most of a wayward pass to set up Alassane Plea – who scored with a defected shot in the 11th minute – then forced an own-goal from Marco Friedl a minute later after Bremen goalkeeper Michael Zetterer’s kickout went straight to a Gladbach player.
Kleindienst also sent Franck Honorat through to make it 3-0 on a counterattack before the break. Honorat was in his own half when he started his run, and the French midfielder was chased by two defenders before he coolly fired inside the far corner.
The visitors were much improved after the break, but Kleindienst crossed for Kevin Stöger to grab Gladbach’s fourth in the 66th.
Keke Topp scored Bremen’s consolation in the 75th, seven minutes before teammate Mitchell Weiser was sent off with a second yellow card.
Earlier, Freiburg missed the chance to move third in a 0-0 draw against Mainz, which stretched its unbeaten away start to the league.
Bayern Munich tops the league by three points.
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