Now the ball should finally roll!
Around five weeks after the game was canceled in the DFB Cup, the last quarter-final encounter between 1. FC Saarbrücken and Borussia Mönchengladbach is finally taking place.
On Tuesday evening (March 12, 2024, 8:30 p.m.) the ball will roll in Saarbrücken’s Ludwigsparkstadion, and the game can also be seen on free TV. ZDF broadcasts the game live. The semi-final opponent of 1. FC Kaiserslautern will be determined and the game will then take place after Easter.
Saarbrücken versus Gladbach: All information about the DFB Cup duel in the ticker
19:32 a.m.: The Saarbrücken team:
Schreiber – Becker, Thoelke, Zeitz, Boeder – Kerber, Sontheimer, Rabihic, Gaus – Naifi, Brünker
Bench: Paterok (ETW), Günther-Schmidt, Breuer, Rizzuto, Stehle, Di Michele Sanchez, Civeja, Becker, Biada
19:32 a.m.: Compared to the derby, Gladbach coach Gerardo Seoane is relying on four newcomers: Itakura and Friedrich move into the newly formed three-man chain, Reitz plays for Koné and Derby double goalscorer Hack can start for Ngoumou.
7.30 p.m.: This is the official starting eleven for the Foals:
Moritz Nicolas — Ko Itakura, Marvin Friedrich, Nico Elvedi — Julian Weigl — Franck Honorat, Rocco Reitz, Florian Neuhaus, Luca Netz — Robin Hack, Jordan Siebatcheu
The bench: Jan Oschowsky (ETW), Patrick Herrmann, Manu Koné, Stefan Lainer, Nathan Ngoumou, Christoph Kramer, Tony Jantschke, Grant-Leon Ranos, Joe Scally
5:24 p.m.: We expect the lineups for the Borussia game in Saarbrücken in just over two hours. This is a possible Gladbach starting XI for the Foals:
Moritz Nicolas – Stefan Lainer, Ko Itakura, Nico Elvedi, Joe Scally – Julian Weigl, Rocco Reitz, Flo Neuhaus – Franck Honorat, Jordan Siebatcheu, Robin Hack
Then Seoane would rely on the four substitutes from the derby, with Hack and Reitz in particular offering top performances as jokers.
Monday March 11th
12:13 p.m.: After this relaxed reaction from the Borussia coach, the PK is over and all questions have been answered.
12.11 p.m.: Seoane is asked about his emotional celebration after the 3:2. “It was because of the momentum. We have shown that we are variable when it comes to set pieces – and that the jokers are there straight away. It was also about being happy together with my assistant Patrick Schnarwiler, who also prepares the resting balls.” First, the Swiss asks with a laugh whether he was really the only person in the stadium who was there after the third :2 was happy in the derby.
12.11 p.m.: No public unit this week, is there a special reason for that? Seoane: “No, that’s just because of the English week. We look forward to having fans and the press on site at training. We only come back from Saarbrücken at night and then need Thursday and Friday to prepare for Heidenheim.”
12:09 p.m.: Seoane also blocks the second request regarding a possible march to Berlin. The coach speaks about the competition: “It is also important for wingers to collect scorer points. We are very well positioned with our three players.”
12:08 p.m.: Seoane doesn’t want to look at Berlin or the semi-finals in Kaiserslautern, but instead wants to focus entirely on Saarbrücken.
12:07 p.m.: The 45-year-old says of Borussia’s aerial strength: “It’s an important part of our offensive approach, also because players like Netz and Honorat keep delivering crosses. At this level all players have good jumping ability. It’s a tried and tested method – there will be one or two crosses on Tuesday too.”
12:06 p.m.: The Borussia coach is asked about the pitch situation: “The most important thing is that the pitch is playable. So your health will not be at risk, we will see the rest on site.”
12.05 p.m.: Seoane adds: “We need intensity, unity and aggressiveness. Saarbrücken just showed in the cup what level they can play at. We have been warned. It will be important that we defend consistently. It is important that we are more reliable and aggressive defensively than in the derby.”
12:03 p.m.: The first question is about staff. “I don’t know how I lined up in the first Saarbrücken game, but that’s no longer relevant. It’s a completely new game for us. Max doesn’t have a structural injury, it’s a muscle tightness. The decision will be made tomorrow morning; today he will compete in an individual session. Some players have taken a hit, but we want to work more regeneratively anyway,” says Seoane.
12:02 p.m.: Gerardo Seoane is here, it starts!
11.55 a.m.: Rainy conditions on the Lower Rhine. The foals will hope that there will be no heavy rainfall in Saarland this time. The PK will begin in a few minutes.
11:37 a.m.: Before the last session, Gerardo Seoane got off to an early start today. The press conference doesn’t start at 1:30 p.m. as usual, but at 12 p.m. As usual, the most important statements will be available live from us.
11.35 a.m.: After the draw in the derby against 1. FC Köln, the DFB Cup now continues. On Tuesday evening, Borussia will play against 1. FC Saarbrücken in the cup quarter-finals.