34th matchday
Augsburg saves when Stindl says goodbye in Gladbach
Lars Stindl (r) says goodbye to the fans after the game. photo
© Roberto Pfeil/dpa
Lars Stindl bids farewell to Borussia Mönchengladbach with a win. But the losers at FC Augsburg also have reason to celebrate.
When Lars Stindl said goodbye to the fans with emotional words after eight years at Borussia Mönchengladbach, the pros of FC Augsburg celebrated staying in the Bundesliga with their entourage on the other side of the arena. Despite the 0:2 (0:2) in the season finale, the Bavarian Swabians also felt like winners on Saturday.
“We are very relieved and extremely happy that we are now in the Bundesliga for the 13th year in a row,” said FCA manager Stefan Reuter and thanked TSG Hoffenheim for the support they provided: “We will definitely be there in due course spend a nice bottle.”
Only thanks to TSG’s point win at VfB Stuttgart can the Augsburgers go on vacation relaxed instead of worrying about staying in the class in the relegation. “We actually wanted to stay up in the league on our own. But sometimes you need luck in life. We’re happy to accept that,” said FCA captain Jeffrey Gouweleeuw.
Season ends at rank 15
With 34 points, Augsburg, who had to play the entire second half with a man down after Robert Gumny received a red card because of an emergency brake, ended the season in 15th place and thus stayed just above the line.
Instead of looking back, Reuter has looked ahead. “We know that we have to make significant gains,” said the 1990 world champion and announced: “From next week we will be dealing intensively with the most important issues.”
There is also a lot to talk about at Borussia, as the team is about to change. In addition to captain Stindl, who is moving to the second division club Karlsruher SC, striker Marcus Thuram and defender Rami Bensebaini will also leave the club.
The future of coach Daniel Farke is still unclear. The 40-year-old still has a contract until 2025, but there has been speculation for weeks about a separation in the summer. The club is said to have already had talks with Gerardo Seoane about a successor.
Fans celebrate Stindl with chorography
On Saturday, however, Stindl was once again the focus. The 34-year-old was given a standing ovation by the fans even before kick-off with a huge choreography and when he was substituted in the 86th minute. “I’m incredibly grateful. I loved playing for Borussia from the bottom of my heart,” said Stindl on the fan block fence after the final whistle.
Later in the stadium catacombs he drew a satisfied conclusion. “It was a very nice conclusion and very emotional. This day will be high in my memories,” said Stindl and, looking back on his time on the Lower Rhine, added: “Those were the best years of my life so far.”
In front of 52,186 spectators, he was denied only one goal of his own last appearance in a Borussia jersey. Luca Netz in the 3rd minute and Jonas Hofmann (40th) scored for Gladbach, who ended the season in tenth place with 43 points. “It was a perfect conclusion for us. If you could paint a game, we would have done the same,” said coach Farke. “I can only compliment the boys for that. We’re going into the summer break with a good feeling.”