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. On Tuesday evening, coach Gerardo Seoane's team defeated Wolfsburg 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.
"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.
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.
DFB Cup round of 16
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- Despite a lackluster performance in the regular season, VfL Wolfsburg from Lower Saxony showed more courage and commitment in the DFB Cup match against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
- After a goalless first 90 minutes, it was Gladbach's Manu Koné who headed the winning goal in the 120th minute, securing Borussia's place in the DFB Cup quarter-finals.
- The win earned Borussia Mönchengladbach from North Rhine-Westphalia additional income of almost two million euros, as they advanced in the DFB Cup.
- Wolfsburg coach Oliver Kovac had expressed his intent before the game to improve his team's technical skills and artistic direction in the cup match.
- In a closely contested match, Wolfsburg held their own defensively and even counter-attacked effectively towards the end of normal time, creating a handful of chances.
- Borussia Mönchengladbach and VfL Wolfsburg will continue to face off in the DFB Cup, as both teams have shown that they are capable of delivering strong performances in this competition.
Source: www.stern.de
