Status: 09.08.2021 10:58 p.m.
On the Betzenberg, third division team Kaiserslautern presented Borussia Mönchengladbach with a more than exhausting task. Borussia missed an early decision and had to tremble until the end.
On Monday evening (August 9th, 2021) the “foals” defeated Kaiserslautern just 1-0 (1-0) in the first round of the DFB Cup. After a bumpy start, Gladbach captain Lars Stindl made the only goal of the game (11th).
A combative beginning of Kaiserslautern
The Lauterer presented themselves on the local Betzenberg at the beginning in the duels and playfully appealing. “That’s what we have to offer in the next few games,” said FCK coach Marco Antwerpen, impressed by his team’s approach after the game on the Sportschau microphone. The Gladbacher Pressing initially came to nothing.
The first dangerous situation therefore belonged to the home side: Mike Wunderlich sent Kenny Redondo on the trip, whose low cross in the middle ended up in the arms of Borussia goalkeeper Yann Sommer instead of teammate Daniel Hanslik (7th).
Borussia captain Stindl sets exclamation marks
Nevertheless, the ambitious start did little to help Lautern coach Marco Antwerp’s team. Gladbach managed to overwhelm the Lautern defense early on.
Captain Stindl initiated the attack himself, Neuhaus then took Patrick Herrmann with him on the outside lane, who repeatedly made a lot of steam with flanks. His cross reached the second post again Stindl, who headed against the direction of FCK goalkeeper Matheo Raab and scored to 1-0.
Early warnings: Stindl and Klingenburg in a clinch
Gladbach looked a bit liberated after the opening goal. But it remained heated. René Klingenburg gave Stindl a rough foul on the advance. Stindl was noisy, followed by a verbal exchange of blows, including the formation of packs. Both then cooled down again, but each saw yellow – despite an almost fraternal hug.
Lautern comes back – Gladbach with better chances
Especially on the outside lanes, opportunities opened up for the FCK through deep running paths, which Lautern was always looking for in the courageous 3-5-2. Captain Jean Zimmer was staged by Redondo – but Sommer parried strongly (25th). Zimmer posed problems for Gladbach’s 18-year-old full-back Joe Scally, who, despite all his offensive enthusiasm, was naive in defense work at times.
Gladbach then tried to calm the game down and aggressively take over the scepter again. Hannes Wolf missed a good opportunity in a promising position in the penalty area – his shot went just wide of the post (38). Shortly before the break, the aluminum hit Herrmann with a dropkick after a pass from Scally (44th), before László Bénes’ shot streaked over the crossbar (45th). The second Gladbach hit was hinted at.
Kaiserslautern brave, but vulnerable to standards
The second half began unchanged at a fast pace. It was not the first time that Kaiserslautern left a Borussia alone in a standard. But “Foal” captain Stindl was surprised by Bénes’ sharp corner himself, so that he could not get the ball on goal from close range (47.). Lautern revealed clear weaknesses, especially when it came to corner kicks.
The third division team remained active and did not shy away from any risk with the high pressing. After another strong pass from Redondo, Wunderlich failed with a shot from the edge of the box (54th). In return, Stindl was also unable to overcome Raab, who was also very vigilant on many of Gladbach’s steep passes (55th).
Little relief for Gladbach in the final phase
In the final phase, both teams continued to move forward in a thrilling cup fight. The “foals” pressed for the decision at times, but Lautern passionately opposed it and often made use of intense physical activity – which led Gladbach to hectic.
The playful efforts of Borussia increasingly left something to be desired. Instead, towards the end of the game, the continually fighting Palestinians pressed – but in vain, because Elvedi and Matthias Ginter allowed only a few compelling situations in the headquarters.
Gladbach opens Bundesliga season against Bayern Munich
In the Bundesliga, Borussia Mönchengladbach can open the new season in front of their home crowd on Friday (8.30 p.m.). The opponent at the start is record champions Bayern Munich, whose first-round cup match against Bremer SV Postponed due to corona cases at the fifth division had to become.
Source: sportschau.de