Borussia Mönchengladbach have been drawn against Karlsruher SC in the second round of the DFB-Pokal following a disappointing Bundesliga defeat. As reported by Bild, Eugen Polanski's side lost 4-3 at home to newly-promoted SV Elversberg on Saturday despite leading 3-1. This leaves Gladbach with zero points from two matches and in 17th place in the Bundesliga standings.
What is Gladbach's DFB-Pokal draw?
The draw for the second round of the German Cup took place on Saturday evening at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. Bastian Schweinsteiger drew the balls, determining that Borussia Mönchengladbach will face second-division side Karlsruher SC. The match will be played on either October 27th or 28th. For Gladbach's David Herold, it's a reunion with his former club. Last season, the same fixture occurred in the second round, with Gladbach winning 3-1. There have been four cup meetings between the clubs in total, with Gladbach winning three. The teams even met in the 1960 final, which Borussia won 3-2.
What happened in the Bundesliga match against Elversberg?
According to reports from Tagesschau and Sueddeutsche Sport, Gladbach and Elversberg played out a spectacular seven-goal thriller. The hosts took an early lead through Hugo Bolin in the 11th minute. David Mokwa equalised for Elversberg before Bolin scored again just before half-time. After the break, Joe Scally made it 3-1 for Gladbach. But the newly-promoted side, who sensationally beat Bayer Leverkusen the previous week, refused to give up. Maurice Krattenmacher pulled one back in the 66th minute. Felix Keidel equalised with a free-kick in the 80th minute. In stoppage time, Krattenmacher scored his second to seal a 4-3 win for the visitors. Gladbach's coach Eugen Polanski was frustrated after the match. "There are many positive things you could talk about, but I don't want to," Polanski told Tagesschau.
Why was Elversberg's coach sent off?
A controversial throw-in decision led to a heated scene just before half-time. According to Bild Sport, the throw-in that led to Gladbach's second goal by Bolin should have been awarded to Elversberg. The visitors' coach, Vincent Wagner, protested so vehemently to referee Martin Petersen that he first received a yellow card and, after further discussion after the half-time whistle, a second yellow, resulting in a red. Wagner had to watch the second half from the upper tier of the stadium. From there, he witnessed his team's spectacular comeback victory. "I was mega excited from up there and enjoyed how our lads played football," Wagner later told Sky.
How did Gladbach youngster Mathieu Nguefack perform?
The 18-year-old Mathieu Nguefack made his first Bundesliga start and experienced a game of mixed fortunes. In the 12th minute, he set up Hugo Bolin's opening goal with a volley following a save from Elversberg keeper Nicolas Kristof. Just one minute later, however, he lost the ball in front of his own penalty area to Francis Onyeka, who hit the post. This loss of possession contributed to the visitors' equaliser shortly after. Nguefack had to play in an already depleted defence, with four defensive players-Daiki Hashioka, Enzo Leopold, Jens Castrop, and Yukhym Konoplya-currently sidelined, as shown on the injuries page.
What's next for Gladbach after this defeat?
The mood in the Borussia-Park was tense after the final whistle, with the team leaving the pitch to boos. With zero points and a goal difference of -3, the club sits second from bottom in the table and is already three points behind leaders Bayern Munich. The focus now shifts to the next away fixture. On September 12th, Borussia Mönchengladbach will face SC Freiburg, who are second in the table after one match. The team's full schedule can be found on the fixtures page.
