Mönchengladbach (dpa) – 1. FC Köln enthusiastically enjoyed its derby triumph, the Gladbach fans, on the other hand, were pissed off and demanded a discussion with those responsible in front of the office.
The 94th Rhenish derby impressively demonstrated the different careers of both teams this season. Cologne cheer with their ecstatic fans their European Cup chances, the Gladbachers have to sweep up the shards of a completely messed up season after the painful 1:3 defeat against their archrival.
“Basically, I can understand that the fans express their anger after such an important game and as a coach you have to put up with certain things. And I can also understand if the fans are out there now,” said Adi Hütter after the Abusive songs from the curve and a small crowd of fans running up in front of the office after the end of the game. According to the police, this had forced open a gate to the forecourt between the hotel and the office. Three Borussia officers were injured, the Cologne team bus was slightly damaged.
“Not worthy of a derby”
After a discussion with those responsible, the meeting quickly broke up again. According to the authorities, the supporters of both clubs behaved “mostly peacefully”. The Gladbach players were insightful. “What we delivered wasn’t worthy of a derby,” said defender Jordan Beyer.
The double derby winners experienced completely different emotions. For the first time in more than 30 years, Cologne won two games in one season against Mönchengladbach. The FC supporters received their favorites in the evening at Geißbockheim with jubilant songs. “It’s just a great atmosphere. Now we can also drink a little Kölsch,” said FC striker Anthony Modeste, who scored 1-0 for his team for the eighth time this season and now has a total of 60 Bundesliga goals for Cologne .
The outstanding Florian Kainz and Dejan Ljubicic scored two more goals in the first half in Borussia Park, which was full for the first time since December 2019. “It’s balm for the Cologne soul,” said FC licensed player boss Thomas Kessler.
Baumgart enthusiastic
Cologne coach Steffen Baumgart, who experienced his first derby in Borussia Park and, contrary to his usual habits, went to the fan corner after the game, was enthusiastic about the atmosphere and even gave his cult hat to a Gladbach fan. “The behavior behind the dugout was extremely fair. There was no bullying, nothing at all. It was a sensational atmosphere,” said Baumgart. After a brief exchange of views, he gladly gave up his hat. “I hope he keeps them too,” said the FC coach.
In any case, the team implemented his European Cup announcement very well. “We still have one goal in mind. The three points were very, very important for that. We’ve talked about it again and again in the past few weeks. We really want that, you saw that again today,” explained offensive player Mark Uth.
But Baumgart wouldn’t be Baumgart if he saw it as a sure-fire success. “Of course it’s about nothing else. But that will be difficult enough. All four opponents who come now are in a struggle for existence,” said the Cologne coach. “But regardless of that, we’ve already achieved a lot this season.”