Football news - Marcus Thuram takes knee as Gladbach beat Union Berlin

A rampant Gladbach knew far too much for a game but limited Union, Marcus Thuram scoring then taking a knee, in apparent solidarity with those protesting systemic, institutionalised racism in the USA following the death of George Floyd.

It took Gladbach a while to get going, but once they found themselves they took over, Florian Neuhaus’ opening goal, scored after 18 minutes, capping a period of sustained pressure. And four minutes before half-time Gladbach appeared to make the game safe, Thuram’s header coming at the end of a fine move and following a fine cross from Alassane Plea.

It would’ve been easy for Union to simply wait to lose, hoping to avoid a hiding, but Urs Fischer sent them out to attack the second half, and on 50 minutes Sebastian Andersson nodded home a livener. Gladbach might’ve sat back to hold onto what they had, but that is not in the nature of this side, and they simply turned up the power once more, Thuram scoring again before Plea contributed the finish his performance deserved.

So Gladbach were left to rue a week which saw them drop five points to Bremen and Leverkusen; their Champions League spot is now in jeopardy, but if they keep playing like this, it’ll take a serious side to thwart them.

Football is always political. We are often told that sport and politics must remain separate, but in reality, this is impossible. Though football is not the world, it happens in the world, and opting to do nothing is as much a political statement as opting to do something. Furthermore, in some cases, right and wrong is very clear, which is to say that Marcus Thuram protesting police brutality is not controversial. We need more of this not less of this, and each of us has a responsibility to participate in the fight. Racism is always wrong, protesting racism is always right.

Alassane Plea (Borussia Monchengladbach): Thuram and Neuhaus played well too, but Plea's speed of foot and thought made him the most threatening attacker on the pitch. More than earned his goal, which he took with characteristic adroitness.

Borussia Monchengladbach: Sommer 6, Bensebaini 7, Ginter 6, Elvedi 6, Lainer 7, Hofman 6, Herrmann 6, Neuhaus 8, Stindl 7, Plea 8, Thuram 8. Subs: Benes 6, Traore 6, Kramer 6, Doucoure 6, Wendt 6.

Union Berlin: Gikiewicz 6, Friedrich 6, Schlotterback 5, Subotic 5, Trimmel 6, Gentner 6, Promel 6, Lenz 7, Ingvartsen 6, Andersson 7, Bulter 6. Subs: Kroos 7, Ryerson 6, Malli 6, Ujah 6, Mees 6.

13’ - "Oh!" A loose Union pass is picked up by Hofman who lays back for Lainer who, from inside his own half, leans back to loft a fine effort that Gikiewicz has to palm behind! A replay shows the ball was going wide, but the keeper still did well because the shot caught him by surprise, unaware of his bearings.

18’ - GOAL! Borussia Monchengladbach 1-0 Union Berlin (Neuhaus). This is very well taken. Herrmann spreads the play from right to centre, Neuhaus creating space by moving across the face of the defence, then driving into the box to slide a finish past Gikiewicz - who doesn't do much to stop him - and in off the inside of the near post! You can't say that wasn't coming - well you can but you'd be wrong.

41’ - GOAL! A LOVELY GOAL! Borussia Monchengladbach 2-0 Union Berlin (Thuram) Stindl moves the ball out wide to Plea, with the deftness and dexterity that allows his man an extra second to make sure his body position is right given the options he's assessed. Plea then has another look and clips to the back post, where Thuram guides a header inside what is the keeper's near, before taking a knee. Well played sir.

50’ - GOAL! Borussia Monchengladbach 2-1 Union Berlin (Andersson) Hello! Union win a free-kick 40 yards out, which Lenz clips to the far side of the box; Lainer gets the first touch on it, but nothing definitive, so Ingvartsen nudges the ball across the Andersson heads a careful livener past Sommer!

60’ - GOAL! Borussia Monchengladbach 3-1 Union Berlin (Thuram) Gladbach hustle Union as they try to clear, Plea winning the ball back and picking a pass - not a cross - that snakes between defenders to find Thuram, and he touches home from in front of goal. It's such a pleasure to watch a proper striking pair - we were so long without, but these two are bringing sexy back in a big way.

81’ - GOAL! Borussia Monchengladbach 4-1 Union Berlin (Plea) This is a lovely finish! Thuram knocks down and Stindl spreads wide for Bensebaini, whose cross arrives at what looks a tricky height for Plea ... but he uses its momentum to turn it deftly, from behind him and on the volley, into the far corner. He's been superb today.