1. FC Union Berlin's first visit to Borussia-Park ended in defeat as Urs Fischer's men went down 1-4 at Borussia Mönchengladbach. 

The Foals, who moved into third with the three points, were inspired by two-goal Marcus Thuram and one from French strike-partner Alassane Plea. Midfielder Florian Neuhaus started the scoring for Borussia Mönchengladbach after 18 minutes. 

Sebastian Andersson scored his 12th Bundesliga goal of the season to temporarily cut Union's deficit at the start of the second half. 

Borussia Mönchengladbach: Sommer; Lainer, Ginter, Elvedi, Bensebaini (Wendt 90); Hoffmann (Traore 82), Neuhaus (Doucoure 90), Herrmann (Kramer 72); Stindl (Benes 82), Plea, Thuram

1. FC Union Berlin: Gikiewicz; Friedrich, Schlotterbeck, Subotic (Kroos 45); Trimmel, Lenz (Ryerson 60 (Mees 64)), Prömel, Gentner (Ujah 80); Ingvartsen (Malli 80), Andersson, Bülter

Urs Fischer restored Christopher Lenz to his left-back position in place of Julian Ryerson, who deputised during Wednesday's 1-1 draw at home to Mainz. Robert Andrich's red card took him out of the matchday squad for the trip to Mönchengladbach, while Grischa Prömel stepped in to partner Christian Gentner in the heart of Union's midfield. Marco Rose's team controlled possession from the first whistle, but were given some early difficulties by Union's strong defensive unit. However, Neuhaus' surging run from midfield broke the resolve of the away team and the 23-year-old finished past Rafal Gikiewicz. The response came through the combination of Christopher Trimmel and Seb Andersson but the Swede didn't test the goalkeeper with the header. On 28 minutes, Gentner claimed a loose ball in a wide area, returned the ball into the box but Marvin Friedrich headed over the target. Given how much the Köpenick club have prided their Bundesliga debut on organisation at the back, the second for Mönchengladbach will have left the coach frustrated. Alassane Plea took his time from the right to pick out Marcus Thuram at the far post, the striker heading in his second without any pressure.

The turnaround was utilised to grab a breather and change the approach for the second half. Fischer used his first substitution, replacing Neven Subotic with Felix Kroos and moving to a 4-3-3. After five minutes, the Köpenick club had pulled one back from a set-piece. Trimmel aimed for the back-post where Ingvartsen headed back across goal and the ball was turned home by Andersson from a few yards out. But the opportunity to fight back that Union presented themselves with was erased as Mönchengladbach scored a third in the 59th minute. Prömel was bundled over – legally, according to referee Frank Willenborg – and Plea assisted Thuram for a simple finish at the back-post. Julian Ryerson stepped in for Christopher Lenz at the hour mark, but after a strong tackle from Neuhaus, the Norwegian limped off four minutes later – Joshua Mees took his place with Bülter dropping back to left full-back. With nine minutes to play at Borussia-Park, Plea put his own name on the scoresheet, scoring with a first-time volley to add some shine to the victory for Mönchengladbach.

With the tank emptied following an 'English Week' in the Bundesliga, Urs Fischer's team have the chance to recover and prepare next week for Sunday's 15:30 match against Schalke at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.