Gladbach will end this round in the top four and can take confidence into Friday's visit to mid-table Freiburg. Champions League qualification very much remains the objective. Next up for Union is a home game against Schalke, another important moment in the battle against relegation.
Two goals in the first half and two in the second seal a comprehensive victory for an untroubled Gladbach. Thuram grabbed the headlines with a brace and a poignant celebration for his first, the French forward taking a knee after heading home. Neuhaus had earlier guided the Foals ahead and the exceptional Plea, who assisted Thuram's two goals, later rounded out the scoring after Andersson gave an outclassed Union a rare ray of hope.