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A crazy group: After five rounds in the Champions League, Mönchengladbach leads Group B ahead of Shakhtar Donetsk, Real Madrid and Inter Milan. That was not to be expected after the draw. All four teams can go further next week. Borussia then reaches a draw at Real for a place in the round of 16.
Fire fighting ban in Mönchengladbach: In Germany it is debated whether there can be fireworks on New Year’s Eve due to the threat of crowds. In Mönchengladbach, some supposed Borussia fans still had some batteries from last year. They disturbed the silence of the Milanese around 4 am, but seemed awake during the game.
Bökelberg rifle throw: Revenge in sport is one of those things. The Gladbachers were eliminated in 1971 against Inter in the European Cup. Bökelberg rifle throw, Roberto Boninsegna, 7: 1, replay, you know. Coach Marco Rose was born in 1976 and yet in Mönchengladbach there is occasional talk of revenge. The nightly fireworks displayed empty Coca-Cola cans in front of the Inter-Hotel and displayed a banner with the inscription “Ricordati, Inter (Remember, Inter), Things are better with Coca”. What a brilliant idea.
First half: Inter coach Antonio Conte had forgiven some regulars on the previous Serie A matchday, including Romelu Lukaku. The signal was clear: after two points in four games in the Champions League, the Milanese wanted to win. For half an hour Contes’ concept worked, not only because of Matteo Darmian’s goal (minute 17), Inter were the best team. But Gladbach improved, Stefan Lainer (36th) and Marcus Thuram (37th) missed, before Alassane Pléa headed a cross from Inter loan officer Valentino Lazaro to equalize (45th + 1).
Jantschke vs. Lukaku: Tony Jantschke has played for Borussia since 2006. After 227 Bundesliga games, the defender is no longer the first choice. As Nico Elvedi had to go through injured, Jantschke moved to central defense and faced one of the best forwards in the world: Lukaku. Inter look for the Belgian in almost all attacks on normal days, when the opponent has almost no match practice, much more. After 45 minutes, for the ailing Jantschke, Denis Zakaria was allowed to try Lukaku.
Second half: The Gladbachers wanted to build on the momentum of the last tie. Thuram missed his best chance to get ahead when he missed a Lars Stindl corner on goal (51.). Inter grew stronger and stronger in half the time and scored twice in the person of Lukaku. Pléa was shortened a bit later (75th), but Borussia’s unfortunate defeat remained.
Zakaria vs. Lukaku: With the replacement of Zakaria, Rose changed to three on defense. The Swiss got off to a good start with a constant duel. With Lukaku, however, it’s like with Hamburger SV as the leader in the 2nd Bundesliga. Everybody knows what’s going on, nobody can avoid it: 1) Lukaku hits a long ball in the chest, Lautaro Martínez hits the post (62nd). 2) After Thuram lost the ball, Marcelo Brozovic played in the run for Lukaku, who kept Zakaria out and hit the far corner with his right (64). 3) Substitute Achraf Hakimi marches on the right side, Lukaku is completely free in the middle and pushes from eight meters (73).
Kiss my ass: In the 83rd minute, Pléa scored her third goal and reportedly outscored Lukaku. Substitute Breel Embolo was offside; the question was whether he irritated goalkeeper Samir Handanovic. Referee Danny Makkelie said yes and denied recognition of the goal. As a result, “Lick my ass” was heard several times in the empty Borussia Park. If it came from Coach Rose, if Makkelie understands German, you don’t know. Either way, Rose saw a yellow card. When the excitement subsides, the coach will also know that Borussia will have a sufficient point to advance on the final day.
