A three-week break was exactly what Borussia Mönchengladbach needed after a tough start to the Bundesliga campaign, and it may have been what their new coach, Alexander Blessin, would have ordered. His first match, a derby against arch-rivals Köln, demanded focus but came with its challenges. Blessin begins his reign licking his wounds, just like his predecessors Eugen Polanski and Jan-Moritz Lichte.

The loss was particularly painful as Blessin had limited time to meet key players before the match, with several unavailable due to injuries, including Franck Honorat, Tim Kleindienst, and Ko Itakura. Despite the setback, Blessin aims to instill his defensive principles that previously kept St Pauli competitive.

The match was decided by a stunning Isak Johannesson strike and Saïd El Mala’s late winner. However, Köln could have scored more if not for the absence of injured forwards Ragnar Ache and Thijs Dallinga. In a twist of fate, Köln's mascot, Hennes IX, also faced quarantine due to an avian flu outbreak.

El Mala, now a Germany international, proved his worth with a memorable goal. "I’ve never been so fired up for a game," he said after scoring. His determination shone through, especially after a rough patch.

For Gladbach, the loss signifies a deeper issue; they lack a standout player like El Mala. The club has seen significant departures in recent years, including Marcus Thuram, Jonas Hofmann, and Rocco Reitz. Now, Blessin must guide the team from the bottom of the table, an even steeper climb with Union securing a recent victory.

The road ahead is challenging, but Blessin may be the right coach for the present, even if he isn’t the dream choice for Gladbach fans.