Saarbrucken will be looking to continue their giant-killing spree when they host Borussia Monchengladbach. The 3. Liga side have already eliminated Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt, and they are now intent on toppling another Bundesliga giant.
Preview (Saarbrucken vs. Borussia Monchengladbach)
Saarbrucken backed up the greatest giant slaying of all as they defeated the 2022 Europa League winners at home by scoring from two of three shots on target, capping off an epic second-round upset of Bayern Munich in the DFB-Pokal’s final 16. The Saarland team defeated Frankfurt in December after eliminating strong Bayern with a goal in the last minute of extra time, courtesy to goals from Kai Brunker and Luca Kerber in the second half. After eliminating the team that was seventh in the Bundesliga at the time, Saarbrucken is back this week at Ludwigsparkstadion to take on another member of the German football establishment. They have stirred things up in the DFB-Pokal before; in 2020, they became the first team from the fourth tier to make it to the semi-finals, where they lost to Bayer Leverkusen in the final after defeating Fortuna Dusseldorf in the quarterfinals.
So when the trophy is handed out in May, the three-time winners will be looking to build on their most recent victory, which occurred back in 1995. Gerardo Seoane’s team is currently 10 points behind Frankfurt in sixth place in the top flight. Their chances of qualifying for European football were severely reduced due to a run of one point from three games. They are mired in mid-table mediocrity. Die Fohlen haven’t won consecutive Bundesliga games under Seoane. He was hired in July of last year. They have only managed 21 points from 20 league games this season. It is their lowest total in almost ten years. Before their journey to Saarbrucken, Gladbach had only won once on the road, against Bayern last week (3–1). However, after defeating Wolfsburg in the previous round with a last-minute goal from Manuel Kone.
Team News
After Japan’s thrilling quarterfinal loss, Ko Itakura will return from the Asian Cup. Gladbach manager Gerard Seoane is still missing Thomas Cvancara, Max Wober, Allasane Plea, and goalie Jonas Omlin. In the match against Bayern, Rocco Reitz, and Nathan Ngoumou replaced Manu Kone and Robin Hack. On Wednesday night, the latter might play up front with Jordan Pefok. Midfielder Patrick Herrmann, a native of Saarbrucken, is hoping to recover from a knee injury.
At Ludwigsparkstadion, however, the team’s top scorer, Kai Brunker, who has nine goals in the league this season in addition to two in the DFB-Pokal, will be upfront. Germany of the past Bone Uaferro, an Under-18 international, will start in defense after missing the match against Dortmund’s reserves due to suspension. He played for the Saarbrucken team, a fourth-division team that advanced to the semifinals, four years ago. Due to injuries, Patrick Schmidt, Sebastian Jacob, Richard Neudecker, and Dominick Becker will all be absent.
Saarbrucken 1-2 Borussia Monchengladbach
For more football previews, click here
