Europa League: Stindl hat trick inspires Gladbach

Fiorentina 2-4 Borussia Mönchengladbach (3 - 4 agg.)
(Kalinic 15, Valero 29 - Stindl pen 44, 47, 55, Christensen 60)

Borussia Mönchengladbach captain Lars Stindl produced a heroic performance, scoring a 12-minute hat trick as they recovered from being 3-0 down to beat Fiorentina 4-3 on aggregate.

The stunning turnaround appeared a distant hope after goals from Nikola Kalinic and Borja Valero saw the Serie A club storm into a 2-0 lead on the night, adding to the 1-0 lead they brought back to Tuscany from Borussia-Park a week ago.

But a minute before the break, the unlikeliest of turnarounds began when Stindl converted from the penalty spot after an apparent handball, handing the German team a lifeline. Gladbach flew out of the blocks at the start of the second half and, after Fiorentina failed to clear a corner, Stindl was on hand to make it 2-2 on the night.

Fiorentina barely had time to steady the ship before the Bundesliga side turned the game completely on its head courtesy of Stindl’s hat-trick goal. A short free kick from Patrick Herrmann was delightfully swept home by the midfielder.

Gladbach, who went into this game on the back of two successive defeats, still weren’t done though. Defender Andreas Christensen, on loan from Chelsea, leapt high to head in a fourth to compete a rousing comeback that sends them into the draw for the last 16 in memorable fashion.

 

Europa League last 32 - as it happened: