Gladbach took care of business against Union Berlin on Sunday with a comfortable 4-1 victory. The biggest talking point of the match came in the 41st minute, when Alassane Pléa found Marcus Thuram for a well-placed header and the Frenchman quietly celebrated in a powerful way.
Alassane Pléa → Marcus Thuram@borussia_en's French connection strikes again pic.twitter.com/33rXCHv7nc
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 31, 2020
Powerful moment here at Borussia-Park as Marcus Thuram takes the knee after scoring.@borussia_en are now two nil up just before the break.
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) May 31, 2020
Thuram’s celebration comes amid mass protests in the U.S. after George Floyd was killed by police officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Monday. The protests have ranged from peaceful to full on riots and even a guy hitting the cleanest volley on a tear gas canister.
Another player calling for justice is American Weston McKennie, who sported a “Justice for George” armband during Schalke’s game on Saturday. Thuram isn’t the only French player supporting the cause either. Kylian Mbappe tweeted his cry for justice on Saturday.
— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) May 30, 2020
Several USWNT players have taken a stand against the injustice. Cyrstal Dunn shared her feelings on the matter while Julie Ertz and her husband said they will be standing with the people for change.
I am truly sickened by the death of George Floyd and so many others whose stories are not today’s headlines. Until we ALL acknowledge that Racism and police brutality is EVERYONE’S problem, change will be an uphill battle! #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd
— Crystal Dunn Soubrier (@crysdunn_19) May 29, 2020
With LOVE, https://t.co/AKdHFVEwAZ
— Julie Johnston Ertz (@julieertz) May 28, 2020
As for the match, the victory brings Gladbach up to third in the Bundesliga, tied with Leverkusen on points.
