Haris Tabakovic strike sinks Dortmund as Gladbach edges closer to safety

Key facts

• Haris Tabakovic scored the only goal in Gladbach's 1-0 win over Dortmund on May 3, 2026.
• Dortmund have lost three of their last four Bundesliga matches.
• Dortmund are second with 67 points, five ahead of third-placed RB Leipzig with three games left.
• Gladbach are 11th with 32 points, six above the relegation playoff spot.
• Gladbach have a five-match winless streak but are unbeaten in five home games.
• Dortmund have the most clean sheets in the Bundesliga this season (14).
• Dortmund have conceded 11 goals in their last nine league outings.
• Gladbach's Tim Kleindienst and Niklas Süle are out with knee injuries until mid-May.

A costly lapse in Dortmund's pursuit of second place

Borussia Dortmund's push to secure second place in the Bundesliga suffered a significant blow on Sunday as they fell 1-0 to Borussia Mönchengladbach at Borussia Park. The defeat, decided by a Haris Tabakovic strike, leaves Niko Kovac's side with 67 points, just five ahead of third-placed RB Leipzig with three matches remaining. Anything less than a win would have been insufficient to guarantee the runner-up spot, and Dortmund now face a tense finish to the campaign. The loss extends a worrying trend for the Black and Yellows, who have now been defeated in three of their last four league fixtures. Despite holding the best defensive record in the division with 14 clean sheets, Dortmund have conceded 11 goals over their past nine outings, and six in their last five away matches. The inconsistency has raised questions about the team's ability to maintain its position.

Tabakovic's decisive moment and Gladbach's defensive resolve

Haris Tabakovic's goal proved the difference in a tightly contested encounter, handing Gladbach a vital three points in their fight against relegation. The hosts, managed by Eugen Polanski, had been winless in five matches but showed resilience to secure their first victory since late April. The win moves them to 32 points, six clear of the relegation playoff spot, with three games left to play. Gladbach's defensive organization was key, as they limited Dortmund's chances and kept their second clean sheet in recent weeks. The result was particularly impressive given the absences of key players: Tim Kleindienst and Niklas Süle are both sidelined with knee injuries until mid-May, while Emre Can is out for the season with a cruciate ligament injury. Felix Nmecha also remains unavailable due to a knee problem.

Dortmund's attacking struggles and Kovac's defensive conundrum

Dortmund's attack failed to fire against a disciplined Gladbach backline, a recurring issue in recent weeks. The visitors had scored five times in their previous three games but were unable to break through on Sunday. Kovac's side had managed to beat Freiburg 4-0 on April 26, racing into a 3-0 lead after 32 minutes, but that success did nothing to close the 15-point gap to champions Bayern Munich. The defeat also highlighted Dortmund's vulnerability on the road, though they had lost only one of their previous 11 away league matches before this weekend. A win would have been their fifth in seven away fixtures, but instead they return to Signal Iduna Park with work to do. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel lamented the late lapse that allowed Tabakovic to score, describing it as a costly mistake in a tight contest.

Gladbach's precarious position and a daunting run-in

Despite the victory, Gladbach's survival is far from assured. They sit six points above the relegation playoff spot, but two of their final three matches come against teams currently in the top five. Failure to claim more than two points from those games would leave the club with either their lowest or joint-lowest points tally in 17 seasons. The winless streak that preceded Sunday's result — five games without a victory, with one loss, seven goals conceded, and only six scored — underscores the fragility of their form. However, Polanski can take credit for an unbeaten run of five home matches heading into the contest, though only two of those were wins. A draw on Sunday would have been their third consecutive stalemate at Borussia Park, but Tabakovic's goal ensured they took maximum points. The reverse fixture in December 2025 ended in a 2-0 defeat for Gladbach, their fifth loss in six meetings with Dortmund, making this victory all the more significant.

What lies ahead for both sides

Dortmund now face a critical final stretch to secure second place, which would be their eighth top-two finish in 14 seasons. Maximum points from their remaining three games would give them their highest points tally in seven campaigns. However, with RB Leipzig breathing down their necks, any further slip-ups could prove costly. Kovac will need to address his team's recent defensive lapses and rediscover the form that made them the division's best defensive unit for much of the season. For Gladbach, the focus is on avoiding a late-season collapse. They have a chance to guarantee safety with a win in their next match, but the tough run-in means nothing can be taken for granted. The club's fans will hope that Sunday's result marks a turning point after a difficult campaign. With key injuries to manage and a demanding schedule ahead, Polanski's tactical acumen will be tested to the full.

The bottom line

• Dortmund's loss to Gladbach leaves them five points ahead of RB Leipzig with three games left, making second place uncertain.
• Haris Tabakovic's goal gave Gladbach a vital 1-0 win, moving them six points clear of the relegation playoff spot.
• Dortmund have lost three of their last four Bundesliga matches, raising concerns about their form under Niko Kovac.
• Gladbach have a tough run-in with two matches against top-five sides, but their home form offers hope of survival.
• Key injuries to Tim Kleindienst, Niklas Süle, Emre Can, and Felix Nmecha have weakened Gladbach's squad depth.
• Dortmund's defensive record remains the best in the league with 14 clean sheets, but they have conceded 11 goals in their last nine games.