After the embarrassing exit in the DFB Cup against third division team 1. FC Saarbrücken, Borussia Mönchengladbach lost their last opportunity to save a disappointing season. The foals’ problems cannot be overlooked.
His pale face looked petrified, his words almost drenched in disappointment. Julian Weigl was badly hit by this defeat in the Ludwigspark in Saarbrücken, whose lawn that evening looked more like a muddy meadow than a modern football stadium. “It’s hard for me to find words. As Borussia Mönchengladbach you have the right to advance in the quarter-finals against a third division team,” said Weigl.
With 1:2 had Borussia Monchengladbach a few minutes before the round of 16 game in DFB Cup Lost against third division team 1. FC Saarbrücken. Against a team that is considered a cup scare this season, but who attested to anything but a good performance on this rainy Wednesday evening (March 12, 2024). “We didn’t play well, especially in the first half,” said Saarbrücken’s Marcel Gaus.
In the end it was a real embarrassment for the Bundesliga club. “I now expect answers to that from the team and also from the coaching staff,” said Borussia’s sports director Roland Virkus, including coach Gerardo Seoane in his criticism.
Fans confront players
This cup competition was probably the only thing that could give everyone involved in the Mönchengladbach team real joy in this season. It wasn’t just the fans who hoped that the trophy could be lifted into the air again by the Borussia professionals after 29 years.
The reality: The players had to answer to some of the fans who had traveled with them and who made their way into the interior after the final whistle and, according to reports, had to listen to a few rather unpleasant words. “Of course we can understand the fans. They have been incredibly supportive of us all season long, even though we don’t play like stars,” said Weigl.
Personnel change
What remains of this season for the Gladbach team, whose sports director Roland Virkus said early on that this season would be “anything but easy”. The end of the cup, the existence in the gray midfield of the Bundesliga with a downward trend. And no less important for Gladbach: No win in the Rhenish derby against 1. FC Köln.
Borussia made a personnel change before the season. 14 professionals, many with long-term development prospects, have been added to the squad. Important regular players such as Lars Stindl, Ramy Bensebaini, Marcus Thuram and Jonas Hofmann left the club – leaving a huge gap in quality.
Players who have come to Gladbach, alongside the internationally experienced Julian Weigl (27 years old), above all have talent, but are still far from being at the end of their development. The future belongs to Rocco Reitz (21), Tomas Cvancara (22) and Robin Hack (24), but they cannot yet consistently offer their services at a high level. The outlook seems anything but bleak. However, the current approach raises questions.
Poor mileage
Looking at the numbers, there are aspects that should alarm those responsible around coach Gerardo Seoane. Above all, the mileage of the entire team in the Bundesliga is likely to give those responsible a headache.
Julian Weigel ranks first among all players in the league with an average of 12.1 kilometers per game. But things look completely different in the team rankings. Borussia is in 18th and last place there. With an average of 113.31 kilometers per game, the Seoane team is a whopping 8.41 kilometers behind the Union Berlin team, which is leading in this category. After 25 games, a clear inventory.
Apparently the Gladbachers can now and then compensate for the running deficits with their playful component and tactical orientation. Nevertheless: The gap to the competition is large.
Weak defense
The offense alone works. With 45 goals scored, the Gladbachers are the sixth best team in the league. But: The defensive approach can be greatly improved. With 49 goals conceded (1.96 goals conceded per game), they are the third worst team in the Bundesliga.
On Saturday (3:30 p.m.) Borussia has to play against strong newcomers 1.FC Heidenheim. After the final whistle in the Swabian Alb, everyone involved in Gladbach would probably like to avoid further discussions with the fans who had traveled with them.