Wael Mohya apologizes to Stuttgart fans after provocative goal celebration

Mohya says sorry for deliberate celebration in Stuttgart

Borussia Mönchengladbach's 17-year-old attacking sensation Wael Mohya has apologized to VfB Stuttgart supporters for a provocative celebration during Friday evening's dramatic 3-2 Bundesliga victory.

Speaking to BILD after the match, the teenager admitted he had deliberately celebrated in front of the Stuttgart supporters and subsequently regretted his actions.

"I wanted to apologize to the Stuttgart fans," Mohya told BILD. "Of course, I knew exactly what I was doing. It was a stupid mistake. But I think everyone makes mistakes sometimes, and my emotions simply boiled over in that moment."

Mohya took a bow in front of the Stuttgart supporters' section after helping set up Shuto Machino's 51st-minute goal. The gesture provoked an angry reaction from the home fans, who whistled the teenager for the rest of the evening.

Latest in a run of Gladbach celebration controversies

The incident comes less than two weeks after another contentious goal celebration involving Borussia Mönchengladbach. During Gladbach's 2-1 Rhein-Derby defeat against 1. FC Köln on October 11, Joe Scally celebrated his equalizer in front of the home supporters. Köln matchwinner Said El Mala subsequently explained that his own provocative celebration was an act of retaliation, describing the Gladbach players' behavior as inappropriate.

Scally, who scored himself in the Stuttgart victory and assisted on Mohya's goal, was not the one at the centre of the controversy this time.

Mohya's performance overshadows the controversy

The 17-year-old tormented Stuttgart's defenders throughout the evening and finished with a goal and an assist as Gladbach recorded their first points of the Bundesliga season, ending a six-match losing streak.

After creating Machino's goal with an exceptional piece of dribbling, Mohya added Gladbach's third in the 66th minute. Joe Scally recovered a loose ball inside the Stuttgart penalty area and sent it back across goal for the youngster to head home.

Mohya earned GGFN's Bundesliga Player of the Match award with a rating of eight out of ten. Scally also received an eight following his equalizer and contribution to Gladbach's third goal. Scally was substituted in the 71st minute after suffering a knock to his thigh; Mohya indicated the problem was minor and that supporters need not worry about his fitness.

A breakthrough for Gladbach

For Gladbach, Friday's victory marked an important breakthrough after six consecutive defeats. For Mohya, it provided another demonstration of his remarkable potential, albeit with a moment of youthful exuberance that he was willing to acknowledge and apologize for afterward.