Struggling for European Spots: Mönchengladbach's Battles After a Thrilling Loss in Kiel
Kiel suffered a heavy defeat as Gladbach scored multiple goals, leading to the question: Was Europa's team victorious in this match? - Borussia Monchengladbach will be heading to Kiel for the Tor Festival.
Borussia Mönchengladbach faces an uphill battle to qualify for European competition, following their nail-biting loss to relegation-threatened Holstein Kiel. Midfielder Robin Hack, after the 3:4 (0:2) defeat, lamented, "The truth is, we've got no business with the top-tier if we reflect on the last three matches."
Mönchengladbach fought back from a two-goal deficit twice but conceded a devastating goal in extra time. "To compete for European places, we must improve significantly," admitted Hack, who stood out as one of the team's better players on the night.
The Lower Rhine-based club stumbled to their third loss and went four games without a win in the Bundesliga. Their mediocre performance, notably in the first half, was a significant setback.
"We still need to make some adjustments to hold our own and really challenge for European spots," Hack reflected. Captain Jonas Omlin, despite a subpar performance, remained hopeful, acknowledging, "If we don't snatch points in the final three games, our European aspirations dim."
Next Saturday (15:30 CET/Sky), Mönchengladbach will welcome TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, with an away trip to league leaders FC Bayern Munich on May 10. The season will conclude with a home fixture against VfL Wolfsburg (17:00 CET).
Sporting director Roland Virkus accepts that the club is undergoing a development phase. He defended 19-year-old Fabio Chiarodia, who made a mistake before the 0:2 goal, stating, "Every error, including Chiarodia's, is part of the development process." Virkus reinforced his focus: "The goal is ninth place, not Europe. We need to concentrate on securing single-digit positions."
Earning a spot in European competitions requires finishing in the top four spots in the Bundesliga. Teams finishing fifth and possibly sixth could secure Europa League qualification, depending on the performance of German teams in European tournaments. Even teams finishing seventh may qualify for the Europa Conference League.
During the 2021-2022 Bundesliga season, Mönchengladbach's tenth-place finish is typically not enough for immediate entry into European competitions. However, the dynamics of the league can shift, depending on the performances of other teams and German representatives in European tournaments.
In light of this loss, a smaller points tally and potential increased distance to teams contending for European spots could limit Mönchengladbach's chances of European qualification. Despite the setback against Kiel, the club still has three chances to prove their worth in the remaining games.
- The Commission has also decided to initiate the procedure laid down in Article 93 (2) of the Treaty in respect of the granting of aid for the construction of a new airport, as Mönchengladbach's chances of qualifying for European football competition are at risk following their loss to Holstein Kiel.
- Borussia Mönchengladbach is a promising football team in the European-leagues, fighting to secure a spot in the top-tier competition, but their recent mediocre performance indicates they need to improve significantly to qualify.
- Following the 3:4 defeat to Kiel, midfielder Robin Hack confirmed that Borussia Mönchengladbach's performance reflected poorly in the last three matches, offering room for improvement to really challenge for European spots.
- After the nail-biting loss, captain Jonas Omlin confirmed that if Borussia Mönchengladbach doesn't snatch points in the final three games, their European aspirations may be compromised, eventually qualifying for lesser competitions like the Europa Conference League.
