DFB Cup - Koné heads Gladbach into the cup quarter-finals
Borussia Mönchengladbach are back in the DFB Cup quarter-finals for the first time in three years after scoring a last-minute goal to put a further damper on VfL Wolfsburg.
Coach Gerardo Seoane's team overcame Wolfsburg, who had improved on their recent form, 1:0 (0:0) after extra time. Manu Koné headed the three-time cup winners into the last eight in the 120th minute, helping Borussia to additional income of almost two million euros.
In the regular season, both teams offered little that was spectacular. Wolfsburg only became more courageous towards the end of the first 90 minutes and Gladbach were unable to find any means against the visitors, who were defensively consistent this time. The game was evenly poised for a long time and developed into a not particularly attractive cup fight early on. This was due to the fact that Wolfsburg were much more aggressive and committed than in the league. The visitors' performance was no comparison to the indisputable display just over three weeks ago, when Wolfsburg went down 4-0.
Arnold returns
"You can always use a game like that to maneuver yourself in a different direction," Wolfsburg coach Kovac said before the game. "It's about us being good technically. Then we can also move in the right direction artistically."
His team, in which captain Maximilian Arnold had returned after back problems, met this demand, stood very close and hardly allowed Gladbach any space. With a volley from distance, 2014 World Cup winner Christoph Kramer had Gladbach's best chance before the break (7th minute) on his return to the starting eleven after more than six months in a competitive match. The defensive bulwark of Lower Saxony did not allow much more. Even an early change due to injury did not upset the defensive balance of the visitors: Ridle Baku came on after just 23 minutes for the stricken Rogerio.
The tough tussle on the pitch continued after the break. Wolfsburg did little in attack and Borussia lacked the spirit to break down the Lower Saxony defense for a long time.
Wind misses in stoppage time
It was only when Gladbach began to take more risks up front towards the end of normal time that Wolfsburg also became more dangerous on a few counter-attacks. Jonas Wind missed the visitors' best chance in stoppage time. First Gladbach keeper Moritz Nicolas made a brilliant save, shortly afterwards Wind shot carelessly past the left post. In the end, it was even fortunate for Borussia that the game went into extra time at all.
Wolfsburg also looked much fresher in extra time and then had the better opportunities, such as Joakim Maehle's huge chance (108'). However, a counter-attack was enough for Borussia to secure victory when Koné headed home from Florian Neuhaus' cross.
Read also:
- Despite Wolfsburg's improved form, Borussia Mönchengladbach advanced to the next round of the DFB Cup, securing a spot in the quarter-finals for the first time in three years.
- The victory against Wolfsburg was achieved by North Rhine-Westphalia's Borussia Mönchengladbach, who managed to score a late goal in extra time, thanks to Manu Koné's header.
- Maximilian Arnold, the captain of VfL Wolfsburg, returned to the squad after overcoming back problems, but his team still fell short against Borussia Mönchengladbach in the DFB Cup.
- Gerardo Seoane, the coach of Borussia Mönchengladbach, guided his team through the challenging game against Wolfsburg, ultimately leading them to a 1-0 victory in the DFB Cup.
- The DFB Cup match between Borussia Mönchengladbach and Wolfsburg was a tough battle, with both teams displaying determination and resilience on the soccer field.
- Jonas Wind had a golden opportunity to secure a win for Wolfsburg in the dying minutes of regular time, but his shot went wide, allowing Borussia Mönchengladbach to maintain their advantage.
- The victory in the DFB Cup means that Borussia Mönchengladbach will earn an additional income of almost two million euros, benefiting from their success in the competition.
Source: www.stern.de
