Lars Stindl has given Borussia Monchengladbach a 1-0 half-time lead over Sevilla in their Champions League Group D clash in Germany.
The home side started strongly as they looked for a victory which would put them ahead of the Spanish side in the race for third and a Europa League spot, and Sergio Rico had to react smartly to keep out Ibrahima Traore's early deflected effort.
They were dealt a blow soon afterwards, however, as Traore had to be replaced after picking up a knock, and moments later they were given a scare when Kevin Gameiro fired home for the visitors only to see his effort ruled out as the ball was adjudged to have gone behind before the cross came into the box.
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The change in momentum continued as the La Liga side had a chance to break the deadlock when Yevhen Konoplyanka's shot was saved by Yann Sommer and the rebound fell just beyond Ever Banega's reach.
Gladbach came back strongly, though, and they were the side to open the scoring when, after Rico had denied Raffael, Stindl was found by Granit Xhaka's fine pass to slot his eighth goal of the season past Rico and give the German side the lead.
The hosts had a double opportunity to extend their advantage just before the break when Raffael's effort was blocked and Julian Korb fired the rebound over, but they had to settle for a slim lead as the half-time whistle sounded.
Tom Nightingale
