Gladbach have lost just one of their previous 10 matches and opened the scoring at Borussia Park on 18 minutes through Fabian Johnson before being pegged back on the stroke of half-time by Stephan Lichtsteiner.
Advertisement
“The match was really important for us and I really wanted to help the team”, said Lichtsteiner, who completed just two training sessions with his teammates after the operation to correct breathing issues.
His 18th-minute goal Tuesday supplied Moechengladbach with an early lead at home against Juventus, but the Italian titans equalized late in the first half and, despite being reduced to 10 players shortly after intermission, held the German side to a 1-1 draw.
Last season’s runners-up Juve will seal their progression to the last 16 if they defeat Manchester City next time out, while the best Gladbach can hope for now is third place in the group and a spot in the Europa League.
Juventus looked unsafe until the 53rd, when Brazilian midfielder Hernanes was sent off for a reckless two-footed lunge on Alvaro Dominguez, and the visitors needed veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon to keep the home side at bay later on.
“However, considering how the game was going and the fact we were a man down, we can be satisfied with this result”. Gladbach are fourth on two.
Gladbach are now fifth in the Bundesliga and, asked about comparisons to the popular literary character, Schubert – referencing the character’s famous lightning bolt scar – said: “I have a scar on my cheek”.
Juve finished the first half strongly and the equaliser duly came when Paul Pogba produced a fine chip over the defence for Lichtsteiner to smash a volley past his Switzerland team-mate Yann Sommer.
Advertisement
“The fans reacted with standing ovations”.
