Borussia Monchengladbach, featuring Indonesian national team defender Kevin Diks, secured an important victory in Week 13 of the 2025/2026 Bundesliga campaign. The three points earned away at Mainz 05 proved vital in lifting Die Fohlen further away from the relegation zone and into a more comfortable mid-table position.
Playing at the MEWA ARENA on Saturday (December 6, 2025) early morning CET, Gladbach edged the match 1–0 thanks to an own goal from Mainz defender Danny da Costa in the 58th minute. Though the scoreline was narrow, the match showcased Gladbach’s growing confidence, discipline, and defensive solidity—qualities that head coach Eugen Polanski has been pushing hard to develop this season.
Hard-Fought Win from a Set-Piece Breakthrough
The only goal of the match originated from a chaotic set-piece situation. A corner kick delivered into the box caused confusion in the Mainz defense. The loose ball bounced awkwardly, struck Danny da Costa, and deflected past his own goalkeeper. Though fortunate, the goal reflected the pressure Gladbach had been building through their aggressive movement and persistence in the final third.
The win marks Monchengladbach’s fourth victory of the Bundesliga season. Those three points moved the team to 16 points overall and lifted them to ninth place, a significant climb after a difficult start to the season.
Coach Eugen Polanski Expresses Pure Delight
After the match, head coach Eugen Polanski could not hide his joy. Speaking to the club’s official media, he praised the collective effort, tactical discipline, and fighting spirit shown by his squad—highlighting that the win was a reflection of the team’s steady improvement.
“We defended almost everything we possibly could for 90 minutes—and even more,” Polanski said with a smile.
“The first half clearly belonged to us. We controlled the tempo for long stretches and created several meaningful chances.”
He also addressed the disallowed first-half goal that could have given Gladbach an earlier lead.
“After the goal was ruled out, we kept pushing. In the end, a set piece decided the match, and we’ll happily take the three points.”
Polanski’s comments underline how important this victory was, not only in terms of the table but also for team morale. Gladbach have been striving to build consistency, and this result could be a turning point in their campaign.
Kevin Diks Redeems Himself with a Strong Performance
One of the standout performers was Indonesian star defender Kevin Diks, who started once again and delivered an excellent showing. Playing alongside Nico Elvedi and Joseph Scally, Diks formed a solid defensive wall in front of goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas.
The match also served as redemption for Diks, who had been criticized after Gladbach’s midweek DFB-Pokal elimination against St. Pauli. This time, he answered his critics with a composed, intelligent, and physically strong performance.
Gladbach’s defensive unit managed to neutralize Mainz’s attacking pressure with alert positioning and effective anticipation. Goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas also played a huge role with two crucial saves, but the defenders in front of him—particularly Diks—made his job much easier.
Statistically, Diks had one of his best games of the season:
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1 successful tackle
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1 crucial block
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9 clearances
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4 recoveries
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11 total defensive interventions
His match rating of 7.5 reflected his influence and composure throughout the full 90 minutes. The Indonesian defender continues to prove he belongs in one of Europe’s top leagues, and performances like this make him an indispensable figure in Polanski’s system.
Gladbach Believe They Can Challenge More Teams
Polanski later emphasized that if his team maintains this level of intensity and discipline, they can compete against any opponent in the Bundesliga.
“Perhaps around 5,000 of our supporters came to the stadium today. Their support was unbelievable,” Polanski added.
“It makes us even happier that we could show a performance like this in front of them. If we bring this energy onto the pitch every week, we can challenge anyone in the league.”
The coach’s confidence signals belief not only in his tactical approach but also in the growing maturity of his squad, especially with players like Kevin Diks stepping up at crucial moments.
Next Fixture: A Home Test Against Wolfsburg
Gladbach will now prepare for another important clash as they host Wolfsburg at Borussia-Park on Saturday (December 13, 2025). With momentum on their side, the team will aim to continue climbing the table and strengthen their mid-season push.
For Polanski, the objective is clear: maintain the defensive solidity, improve decision-making in the final third, and continue building chemistry within the squad.
And for Kevin Diks, the upcoming match is another opportunity to shine and solidify his position as one of Gladbach’s most reliable defenders this season.
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