The Algerian full-back was involved in the goals for Die Borussen while the Nigerian forward made a cameo appearance
Ramy Bensebaini provided the assist for Borussia Monchengladbach’s final goal in 4-1 victory over Union Berlin, who had Antony Ujah come on in the final 10 minutes of the clash.
Marco Rose’s men came into this tie on the back of a disappointing goalless draw at struggling Werder Bremen in mid-week while Die Eisernen were held at home by Mainz.
The hosts raced to a 2-0 first-half lead courtesy of goals from Florian Neuhaus and Marcus Thuram.
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Sebastian Andersson pulled one back for the visitors five minutes into the second half.
Thuram scored his second in the 59th minute before Bensebaini aided Alassane Plea for the fourth goal nine minutes from full-time, after the Algeria international drilled in a cross from the left and Plea fired home with his first touch.
PLEAAAAAA!!!! ⚽ The provider turns goalscorer. @alassane_plea with a composed volley from @bensebainiRams’ cross 🙌 (81′)#GladToBeBach #BMGFCU [4]-1 pic.twitter.com/F9zi3RSxi1
— Gladbach (@borussia_en) May 31, 2020
Bensebaini came off in additional time for Oscar Wendt, and produced 73 touches, 38 accurate passes (79.2%), two key passes and won six of 10 total duels. The 25-year-old also made one interception, two tackles and three clearances.
He has now registered five goals and two assists for the North Rhine-Westphalia side since his arrival from French club Rennes in the summer
Union Berlin’s Ujah came on for Christian Gentner in the 80th minute but the Nigerian made little impact with just three touches on the ball and one accurate pass.
(80’) 🔁 SUB: Double change for Union: Malli, Ujah on for Gentner and Ingvartsen. #BMGFCU | #fcunion | 3-1
— 1. FC Union Berlin (@fcunion_en) May 31, 2020
The 29-year old Mainz forward has played 19 times in the Bundesliga this season, seven of which are starts, scoring two goals. One of them was in the reverse fixture which ended in a 2-0 win for Urs Fisher’s men.
Another Nigerian in Suleiman Abdullahi was an unused substitute for the German capital outfit. He has made just four substitute appearances since signing permanently from Eintracht Braunschweig last year.
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Guinea midfielder Ibrahima Traore was the other African to feature for Gladbach, replacing Jonas Hofmann in the 82nd minute and making 11 touches and five touches.
Monchengladbach are back up to third place and will next be on the road to Freiburg.
Union Berlin sit in 14th place, six points clear of the relegation zone and will host Schalke 04 at the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei on June 6.
