Virkus vows to find answers after Pokal loss: "I expect solutions from the team and staff."
Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Julian Weigl and club sporting director Roland Virkus made no attempt to make excuses for their team's loss to third-tier side 1. FC Saarbrücken in last night's delayed DFB-Pokal quarterfinal tie.
Virkus, after apologizing to the club's traveling support, emphasized that he and the rest of the administrative staff wouldn't let the disappointing result stand without consequences.
As many had feared, struggling Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach were unable to sufficiently get their act together in time to advance in a delayed German domestic cup quarterfinal tie last night. In a year in which a weak DFB-Pokal semi-final field presented top tier sides with an excellent opportunity to capture the crown, Gerardo Seoane's Fohlenlef faltered against third tier side 1. FC Saarbrücken last night.
Virkus, after apologizing to the club's traveling support, emphasized that he and the rest of the administrative staff wouldn't let the disappointing result stand without consequences.
Gladbach struggled against a deep-seated Saarbrücken side on the waterlogged pitch at the Ludwigsparkstadion. The Bundesliga side ultimately did too little in an offensive sense to break a 1-1 deadlock and were punished when the underdogs netted the 2-1 deep into second half stoppage time. Speaking to the Sky microphone's after the full-time whistle, BMG defensive midfielder Julian Weigl acknowledged as much.
"We should have scored two two three goals before half-time," Weigl noted in his post-match interview, "We can't concede a late goal like that. We are extremely dejected, but only have ourselves to blame for that today. Of course we have to pick ourselves back up, but I can't look ahead just yet. It hurts very hard now."
Gladbach sporting director Roland Virkus expressed similar sentiments, noting the team's failure to finish off its chances in the opening 45 and conveying his consternation at the way in which the foals conceded the late equalizer. Virkus specifically apologized to the club's traveling support. The executive's words seemed to confirm the suspicions of many that the front office may be contemplating a coaching change this offseason.
"I have no understanding [for this result] at all," Virkus remarked afterwards, "I'm completely disappointed and can't understand the way we lost. As a team, we at least needed to find a way to send the match into extra time and regroup. We didn't manage that today and one has to say that it becomes a question of quality."
"things like this have accompanied us throughout the course of the whole season," Virkus continued, "We started brilliantly during the opening 25 minutes and five or six '100 percent' chances to score. If we had scored another goal, we would have been comfortable. We didn't do that. I expect solutions from the team and the staff."
"As a Gladbach native, I know what it means for the fans and the club," Virkus concluded, "which is why I'm all the more disappointed about the elimination. I feel sorry for every fan who came here for the second time and expected us to reach the semi-finals. They are understandably disappointed."