For the club it’s an extraordinary evening
. Despite the 2-0 loss to the Real Madrid, Marco Rose, the coach of Mönchengladbach, was radiant on Wednesday, after qualifying for the eighth from Champions League of his team, worthy heir to Gladbach
from the 1970s. The result of discreet but continuous progress in recent years, this accession to the round of 16 opens up sporting prospects, and takes on a historic dimension for the club. It is also arriving at the best time to relieve finances strained by the new coronavirus crisis.
A fragrance from the 1970s
Some could be the grandfathers of the current players: Rainer Bonhof (vice-president of Borussia), Allan Simonsen (Ballon d’or 1977), Berti Vogts or even Jupp Heynckes are the heroes of the last epic of Mönchengladbach in the cup. Europe of champion clubs, the ancestor of the Champions League.
Borussia Mönchengladbach is qualified for the first time in its history! #RMABMG #MCIOM #PSGIBKF #NEW pic.twitter.com/4p1f8eEn2r
— The Daily Watchers (@TDWofficiel) December 9, 2020
In 1977, in the final, then the following year in the semi-final, they failed twice against Liverpool. Entered into history, they remained there alone, without successors. Since the re-foundation of the premier competition in 1992, the Foals
had only made two forays into the group stage, never succeeding in reaching the round of 16, in 2015-16 and 2016-2017.
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“Great potential”
Certainly Borussia lost first place in their group in the last match, with a 2-0 defeat in Madrid. But qualifying in a group where not only Real, 13 times winner of the event, but also Inter Milan and Shakhtar Donetsk, respectively finalist and semi-finalist of the last Europa League, were not playing. obvious.
Rose’s men also finish with the second best attack in Europe (16 goals), neck and neck with two giants of the continent, Lionel Messi’s Barça (also 16 goals) and Robert Lewandowski’s Bayern (18 goals) . This is why the round of 16 will not necessarily be the terminus station.
, commented on Thursday the football magazine Kicker.
Mönchengladbach is no small opponent
, recognized the midfielder of Real Casemiro. For Inter coach Antonio Conte, Marco Rose’s team has great potential, technical quality and physical presence
. Little known in Europe before this season, attackers Marcus Thuram (a double against Real in the first leg), Alassane Pléa (five goals, four assists), Florian Neuhaus, the 23-year-old attacking midfielder, German neo-international in the 40-yard passes, or even fighter captain Lars Stindl have started to make a name for themselves.
An anti-Covid remedy
For a club like Mönchengladbach, which evolves financially a notch below the trio Bayern-Dortmund-Leipzig (all qualified for the 8th), the 9.5 million euros promised to the qualified for the 8th finals – which is added to the bonuses for points scored – are a blessing, in this lean times due to Covid-19. What partially fill the hole of 37 million euros, announced last month by the treasurer Stephan Schippers.
With this qualification, the players not only secured their participation in the next round, but also in a way their own salaries
, underlines Thursday the site Sportschau. Borussia was the first club in Europe, in March, to announce that its players had voluntarily waived part of their fees. The Champions League should allow this subject to be temporarily evacuated. The future could suddenly be a little more serene. Eight players arrive at the end of their contract in June, including Captain Stindl. Sporting success and financial manna can only increase Borussia’s negotiating room to keep its best elements.
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