Reactions to the cup debacle
FC Bayern “shocked” by “collective failure” – “have to endure malice and ridicule”
Bayern Munich’s Thomas Müller (l) and Munich’s Robert Lewandowski react dejected after the 5-0 debacle in the DFB Cup against Borussia Mönchengladbach
© Marius Becker / DPA
FC Bayern has seldom been humiliated so severely before. After the historic cup defeat at their old rival Gladbach, the people of Munich have no words. Borussia, on the other hand, experienced an emotional evening with perfect timing.
More frustrated and shocked than ever before, FC Bayern Munich left Mönchengladbach after the highest cup defeat in its history. While Borussia celebrated their gala emotionally after the outstanding 5-0 (3-0) on Wednesday evening with the return of the fan masses with almost 50,000 spectators in the sold-out stadium, Bayern found no explanations for their non-performance. “Simply shocked,” stammered sports director Hasan Salihamidzic again and again. “Not even when I was playing,” said the ex-professional after the “collective blackout” at such a performance by Bayern.
Superstars around Neuer and Lewandowski leave the stadium without a word
Superstars like Manuel Neuer, Robert Lewandowski and Co., on the other hand, no longer wanted to comment on the inexplicable and left Borussia Park without a word. National player Thomas Müller was the only one in front of the Sky TV cameras. “I’ve never seen such a collective failure by a Bayern team in such an important game myself, so it’s a bit difficult to grasp at first,” said Müller.
Müller: “collective failure”
Never before had a Bayern team lost in the cup to Gladbach, never before had a Bayern team lost so high in the cup. The hopelessly inferior record winner was even well served. In view of several other chances of the unleashed Gladbacher, it could easily have been 0: 8 in the end. “We now have to endure for two or three days that malice and ridicule will pour over us,” said assistant coach Dino Toppmöller, who also represented head coach Julian Nagelsmann, who was suffering from Corona, in Gladbach.
Desolate appearance just a slip up?
For the unfortunate offspring of the former Bundesliga player and coach Klaus Toppmöller, the desolate appearance is said to have been just a slip. Union Berlin is supposed to atone for appearing in Gladbach on Saturday. “We want to show a reaction and it will certainly come,” announced Toppmöller. It is unlikely that Bayern will play again against an opponent who succeeded in almost everything. “I can’t remember having seen something so good from my own team,” said Gladbach coach Adi Hütter about the outstanding early phase of his team. The hosts overran Bayern and led 3-0 after just over 20 minutes with goals from Manu Koné (2nd minute) and Ramy Bensebaini (15th and 21st / foul penalty). “They were sensational today,” said Salihamidzic.
Gladbacher Embolo towers over everyone
The outstanding Breel Embolo, who was involved in all Gladbach goals, scored the two remaining goals himself after the break (51st and 57th). “It was a perfect evening for everyone from Borussia,” enthused Embolo, who visibly enjoyed the atmosphere in the stadium, which was filled with so many fans for the first time in around a year and a half. The timing for such a game couldn’t have been better. After some disappointments recently, Hütter now sees his team’s cup gala as a benchmark. “We have to be measured against such a game now,” demanded the Austrian. “The team showed what they are capable of today.” The next opponent of Borussia, who started with eleven points from nine games, is VfL Bochum in everyday business on Sunday.
