After a catastrophic first half and a three-goal deficit, Borussia Mönchengladbach managed to come back at Darmstadt 98. Despite the 3:3 (0:3) draw on Sunday (September 17th, 2023), the start to the Bundesliga was unsuccessful.
A half that should have caused great concern, then a sending off and the big comeback. Borussia Mönchengladbach averted a major starting crisis at Darmstadt 98 with the majority and managed to win a point despite being 3-0 down. The basis for this was a handball that will probably be a topic of discussion for a long time. But one after anonther.
Darmstadt’s double strike in the first ten minutes
After Tobias Kempe narrowly missed the hosts’ lead in the fourth minute with a free kick from 17 meters, the time had come shortly afterwards: After a long ball from Fabian Holland, Marvin Mehlem was able to run freely towards the Gladbach goal using simple means and kept it Nerves (8th). And it only took a few moments until the Darmstadt goal jingle sounded again: Matej Maglica scored 2-0 with a header from Kempe’s cross (10th).
This goal was a perfect demonstration of the two teams’ different approaches. While Maglica tried with all his might to win the aerial duel, his opponent Julian Weigl let himself go very easily and refused the duel in the hope of a whistle from the referee. The scenes in which a man from Darmstadt asserted himself robustly but with almost no resistance against a man from Gladbach were more common in the early stages.
Gladbacher inability and more powerful Skarke
And the Borussia team were also unfortunate offensively. Maximilian Wöber actually had a good opportunity after a free-kick cross, but almost created a hole just a few meters in front of the goal (19th). Alassane Plea also had a good opportunity after Darmstadt lost the ball, but missed the opponent’s goal quite clearly (27th).
At the other end, Tim Skarke finished after another weak challenge from Joe Scally, but hit the post from 20 meters (31′). Shortly afterwards, the loanee from Union Berlin had the next opportunity and this time Skarke took advantage of it: he scored Darmstadt’s third goal from 10 meters after a high ball (33′). In stoppage time, Moritz Nicolas even prevented the 27-year-old’s second goal with a strong save (45th + 2).
Referee Gerach initiates the turnaround
What was particularly blatant at Gladbach in the first half was that the offensive players not only lost almost all of the balls, but also didn’t get involved in the defensive work at all. So Darmstadt had space and was able to use it in many situations. The result could have been even clearer and the game could have been decided after the first 45 minutes.
But at the beginning of the second round, the game became more dramatic due to a situation. SVD goalkeeper Marcel Schuhen initially parried against Tomas Cvancara and Jordan Siebatcheu (47th) – but when looking at the video images, referee Timo Gerach claimed to have seen what he thought was an intentional handball from Maglica, whistled a penalty and sent the Darmstadt defender off the field. The Gladbach problem: Cvancara did not accept the gift, Schuhen was even able to save the penalty without any problems (50th).
Solo from Reitz gives Gladbach even more hope
Nevertheless, the scene caused a change and Gladbach got back into the game quite quickly. Rocco Reitz dribbled hard through the opposing defense, kept an overview and fed Siebatcheu, who only had to push the ball into the empty goal (56th).
Gladbach were now creating chances every minute and Darmstadt initially found no means in defense. For example, Robin Hack missed a diving header from a completely free position and aimed it clearly too high (65′), and Florian Neuhaus also made far too little use of his opportunity from a free-standing shot from 17 meters (71′). However, the 26-year-old took advantage of his next chance and scored from close range to score the goal (73′).
And then Gladbach even shot themselves into the points. Cvancara first used his heel to use the ball, but it landed back in front of his right foot and with a brilliant shot from 20 meters he made it 3-3 (77th). Immediately afterwards, Holland missed the great opportunity to take Darmstadt’s next lead (78th), but overall everything now pointed to a victory for the guests.
Hack misses the last opportunities
44 years ago, Gladbach got a point after a 3-0 defeat at 1. FC Köln (4:4). Now the question was: Will there be a repeat or even a win for the first time after the three-goal deficit in Darmstadt?
Hack again had a great opportunity to take the lead with a header, but this time the ball landed right in the arms of Schuhe (90th). And he also lacked precision with his foot; in a very good finishing position he almost missed the ball (90th + 2).
It was the last chance for the Seoane team. And so the comeback was successful, but not the turnaround. And so the start is still not good, the result of two points from the first four games is worrying. And the performance in the first half was even more so.
Lilien against VfB, Gladbach meets Leipzig
Darmstadt opens the next match day away against VfB Stuttgart (Friday, September 22nd, 2023 at 8:30 p.m.). The Fohlenelf will face RB Leipzig a day later (3:30 p.m.).