Borussia Mönchengladbach kicked off their DFB-Pokal campaign with a resounding 9-1 (4-0) victory over third-division side SV Eintracht Trier 05 on Tuesday. The first-round match in Kassel turned into a one-sided affair early on, providing a welcome boost for a team currently sitting 16th in the Bundesliga with zero points from their opening match.
Gerardo Seoane's side displayed determination from the first whistle, never allowing their lower-league opponents a foothold in the game. The 21-year-old midfielder Rocco Reitz opened the floodgates in the 12th minute. Further goals followed before halftime, including an own goal in the 40th minute and Franck Honorat's first strike in first-half stoppage time, sending Gladbach into the break with a commanding 4-0 lead.
Who were the goal scorers for Gladbach?
After the interval, Gladbach continued their offensive onslaught without pause. Alassane Pléa made it 5-0 in the 50th minute, before Rocco Reitz added his second of the night just three minutes later, completing his brace. Tomáš Čvančara found the net in the 64th minute, Jordan scored in the 80th, and Franck Honorat completed his own double six minutes from time. Nicolas put the final exclamation point on the scoreline in the 90th minute.
The only blemish on an otherwise perfect evening was the consolation goal conceded in the 56th minute. Apart from that, Gladbach dominated proceedings at will. The team scored nine goals of their own, showcasing an attacking prowess they will hope to translate to the league, where they have yet to score and have conceded three times.
What did coach Gerardo Seoane say about the performance?
Head coach Gerardo Seoane was highly satisfied with his players' attitude following the emphatic win. "We played with discipline, passion and joy," the Gladbach boss told OneFootball, the outlet that reported on the match. This mindset was clearly visible on the pitch. The team did not let up despite the early lead and consistently searched for more scoring opportunities.
Seoane will have been particularly pleased with the performance of Rocco Reitz. The young midfielder proved with his early opener and his second-half goal that he can be a genuine option for the starting eleven. This is all the more important as Gladbach are currently without the injured Jens Castrop and Yukhym Konoplya, as shown on our injuries page.
What's next for Gladbach after this win?
The cup rout provides the team with a much-needed confidence boost. Things have not gone to plan in the Bundesliga so far. With zero points from one game and a 0-3 defeat on the opening day, Gladbach sit in 16th place, already three points behind leaders Bayern Munich. The next fixture is on September 5th, when SV Elversberg, currently seventh in the 2. Bundesliga, visit Mönchengladbach in the next cup round.
This victory should give the team belief for the challenges ahead. The attack has demonstrated its finishing ability; now the task is to carry this positive energy into the league campaign. The coming weeks will show if the Foals can replicate this cup form against higher-caliber opposition. You can find all upcoming fixtures on our fixtures page.
