Marked by the intense six-goal spectacle, the professionals from Borussia Mönchengladbach were celebrated in large numbers by the fans who had traveled with them for their furious comeback.
With a 3-3 win at SV Darmstadt 98 after being 3-0 down at the break in front of 17,810 spectators, the Fohlen team averted a fall into the relegation zone and at the same time prevented the decimated promoted side from winning its first win after returning to the Bundesliga.
Marvin Mehlem in the 8th minute, Matej Maglica (10th) and Tim Skarke (34th) crowned a furious first half for the Lilies with their goals, which almost ended after a red card for Maglica (49th) for handball in their own penalty area Had to play the entire second half outnumbered. “At that moment I didn’t feel that I was playing the ball with my hand. I don’t play the ball with my hand, I can’t confirm that,” said Maglica on the streaming service DAZN. Referee Timo Gerach called it “a swipe.” Tomas Cvancara’s penalty was saved by Darmstadt’s goalkeeper Marcel Schuhen, who was then powerless to concede goals from Jordan Siebatcheu (56′), Florian Neuhaus (73′) and Cvancara (77′).
Lieberknecht: “Really good moments shown”
“I think the player definitely doesn’t want to play the ball with his hand on purpose. But he plays it with his hand,” said Gladbach’s Julian Weigl about the crux of the game. They were happy that the penalty was given because it gave them the chance to turn the game around. “The first half wasn’t ours at all. I think the coach could have taken almost all eleven players out,” said Weigl. Darmstadt’s coach Torsten Lieberknecht mourned the missed opportunities and the possible victory: “We would have liked the three points, now we got another point, but we showed a lot of really good moments.”
“It’s about being poisonous and bilious,” the Lilien coach explained before the game. His team implemented this requirement from the start. The home team played with commitment and were quickly rewarded.
Early Darmstadt tour
After veteran Tobias Kempe narrowly missed the goal with a free kick, Mehlem gave the Hessians an early lead. The midfielder suddenly had free rein after a long strike from captain Fabian Holland and beat visiting goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas.
The actual number three in goal for Borussia, who had to play after the absences of Jonas Omlin (shoulder operation) and Jan Olschowsky (illness), was powerless again shortly afterwards when Maglica headed the ball. Again, Gladbach’s defense wasn’t up to par.
Coach Gerardo Seoane’s team also had little in the way of attack. The guests hardly ever came dangerously in front of the Darmstadt goal – and when they did, there was a lack of precision in the end.
The hosts still had the better chances. First Holland failed with a long-range shot from Nicolas (15th), then after just over half an hour the midfielder only hit the post. The third goal therefore came logically. After a cross that was blocked too short, Skarke hit the ball into the corner. In stoppage time, Nicolas saved the disoriented guests from falling even further behind with two strong reflexes.
Four Gladbachers substituted during the break
Seoane reacted to the disappointing performance of his charges during the break and brought in four new players when the game restarted. The guests now had a clear advantage in the field and gained new hope after Siebatcheu’s beautifully played goal.
Darmstadt went on the counterattack and almost succeeded, but Emir Karic was denied by Nicolas after an hour with a brilliant shot. As the game progressed, the pressure from the guests increased. The home team had little to counter this, so in the end they were even well served with the draw.
