Bundesliga
Matthias Ginter: MD26's Man of the Matchday
Borussia Mönchengladbach's Matthias Ginter is the bundesliga.com Man of the Matchday for what the Germany international defender did on and off the pitch along with his wife Christina on Matchday 26.
Gladbach came into Saturday's game with fellow strugglers Hertha Berlin 13th in the table, just four points clear of the relegation/promotion play-off spot occupied by their weekend opponents, and only a further point above the automatic relegation place.
That meant defeat to the visitors from the capital at Borussia-Park would have left Adi Hütter's side deep in trouble, and staring at a potential first relegation since the 2006/07 campaign.
Watch: Ginter helps Gladbach see off Hertha
As assistant coach Christian Peintinger pointed out, "It's not time to breath a sigh of relief yet," but Gladbach are now seven clear of the playoff position following a 2-0 win that was capped by Ginter.
The centre-back scored his first league goal of the season — and his first top-flight strike in 27 matches — to double the lead Alassane Plea's first-half penalty had given the Foals to help his team end a three-game winless run.
But the Ginters contributed even more significantly elsewhere. Gladbach had warmed up in shirts bearing 'Stop War' written over the yellow-and-blue Ukrainian flag, and Ginter enlisted the help of his foundation to enable fans to do their part in supporting the country.
"We are committed to global peace and condemn all forms of violence and war," the former Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund defender wrote in an Instagram post. "That's why we want to work closely with Borussia Mönchengladbach to collect donations for the people of Ukraine."
Christina was joined by the wives and partners of the club's players outside Borussia-Park in the hours leading up to kick off to collect items, such as medicines, socks and baby food, to be sent to Ukraine.
"We both had the idea," Christina told German TV before the game. "We went to Gladbach and they also thought it was a good idea."
While the items will be sent to Ukraine, the warm-up shirts used by the squad will be auctioned off as will the #StandWithUkraine balls used across Germany's top two divisions on Matchday 26 with proceeds going to those in need in the country.
Gladbach is also donating a euro for each of its 94,269 members, a sum which will go to organisations working with refugees from Ukraine or those still in the country requiring help.