Borussia Mönchengladbach: „Ich weiß nicht, ob ich das verdient habe“
Borussia Mönchengladbach captain Rocco Reitz has spoken openly about the growing pressure on the team following their 1-1 draw with Mainz 05 at Borussia-Park, acknowledging the frustration among supporters while questioning whether he personally deserves the criticism directed at him.
The Bundesliga clash on April 20, 2026, saw Joe Scally give Gladbach an early lead in the seventh minute, only for Nadiem Amiri to salvage a point for Mainz with a last-gasp penalty in the sixth minute of stoppage time. The result left Gladbach languishing in 14th place in the league table, continuing a difficult season for the Foals.
Reitz, who made his 100th competitive appearance for Borussia Mönchengladbach in the match, admitted the weight of expectation is heavy on the squad. Speaking after the game, he reflected on the fan reaction: “Nach dem Remis gegen Mainz liegen bei Borussia Mönchengladbach die Nerven blank. Der Trainer défendigt einen mutlosen Auftritt, der Sportchef zweifelt an der Mentalität der Spieler und die Fans arbeiten sich an Kapitän Rocco Reitz ab.”
The German international midfielder, born on May 29, 2002, in Duisburg, has been a fixture in the Gladbach lineup since his professional debut in October 2020. His milestone appearance against Mainz marked a personal achievement, though it came amid a frustrating performance that failed to secure all three points.
Reitz’s first Bundesliga goal came in November 2023 against VfL Wolfsburg, a 4-0 victory that remains one of the highlights of his senior career. Since then, he has contributed eight goals in 91 league appearances for the first team, with additional experience gained during loan spells at Sint-Truiden in Belgium during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons.
The draw with Mainz further complicated Gladbach’s season, which has seen them struggle to climb clear of the lower half of the Bundesliga table. Mainz, under coach Urs Fischer since Matchday 14, had turned their season around after a difficult start, collecting 27 points to distance themselves from relegation danger.
Reitz acknowledged the disconnect between the team’s efforts and the results: “Ich weiß nicht, ob ich das verdient habe,” he said, expressing uncertainty about whether the criticism aimed at him as captain is justified given the collective nature of the team’s struggles.
His comments come ahead of a significant personal milestone — Reitz agreed to a transfer to RB Leipzig in March 2026, signing a pre-contract that will see him join the Red Bull-affiliated club for the 2026-27 season on a deal running until 2031. The move, confirmed by both clubs, will mark the end of his six-year tenure with Borussia Mönchengladbach’s first team.
Internationally, Reitz has represented Germany at various youth levels, including appearances for the U16 and U21 teams. He was part of the German squad that finished as runners-up at the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia and trained with the senior national team ahead of UEFA Euro 2024, though he did not make the final tournament squad.
The draw against Mainz leaves Borussia Mönchengladbach with a challenging path forward as they seek to improve their league position before the season’s conclusion. With Reitz’s departure to Leipzig confirmed for the summer, the current campaign may represent his final months wearing the Gladbach jersey in competitive matches.
For now, the focus remains on finishing the season strongly and addressing the issues that have led to inconsistent performances. As Reitz put it, the team must find a way to rebuild trust with supporters while working through a difficult period collectively.
The next official update on Borussia Mönchengladbach’s squad status and fixtures is expected ahead of their next Bundesliga match, with details to be released by the club in accordance with standard matchday protocols.
If you have thoughts on Borussia Mönchengladbach’s current situation or Rocco Reitz’s reflections, share them in the comments below — we welcome constructive discussion from fans around the world.
