Third-Division Saarbrücken stuns Borussia Mönchengladbach in rain-delayed German Cup quarter-final
Third-division side Saarbrücken’s incredible journey in the German Cup continued as they secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach in a rain-delayed quarter-final match on Tuesday.
Kai Brünker sealed the win with a stoppage-time goal, extending Saarbrücken’s fairytale run in the competition.
The third-division outfit has been on a remarkable cup run, previously defeating Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt in the second and third rounds, respectively. Brünker’s decisive goal against Gladbach marked another historic moment for the underdog team.
“Just crazy, I’m mega-happy,” exclaimed Brünker, reflecting on the team’s stunning achievement. “Mentality-monsters, I’m so ridiculously proud of every single one. Look at their faces!”
Saarbrücken’s next challenge awaits them in the semi-finals against second-division side Kaiserslautern on April 3rd. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen, the sole Bundesliga representative left in the competition, will face Fortuna Düsseldorf in the other semi-final clash.
Gladbach took an early lead through Robin Hack’s eighth-minute goal, but Saarbrücken responded swiftly, with Amine Naifi finding the equalizer just three minutes later. The match remained tightly contested, with both teams pushing for a breakthrough amid the adverse weather conditions.
In a dramatic twist, Saarbrücken defender Fabio Di Michele Sanchez embarked on a marauding run down the left flank and delivered a precise cross for Brünker, who calmly slotted home the winner in the dying moments of stoppage time.
“We simply didn’t want to concede in the second half, we managed that, and then to get a lucky punch,” remarked Saarbrücken’s coach, Rüdiger Ziehl, reflecting on his team’s resilient performance. “That we managed to do it is just crazy.”
Saarbrücken’s remarkable journey in the German Cup serves as a testament to the unpredictability and magic of football, captivating fans and inspiring underdog teams worldwide.
