As of: March 12, 2024, 12:59 p.m
By: Luca Hartmann
Comments
Press
Split
Can the catch-up game in the DFB Cup quarter-finals between 1. FC Saarbrücken and Borussia Mönchengladbach take place as planned?
The weather forecast is worrying.
Saarbrücken - Once again, the 1. FC Saarbrücken pitch is the focus of attention: the third division club's cup quarter-final against Borussia Mönchengladbach, which was planned for February, had to be canceled because the pitch was unplayable.
It is at least questionable whether the catch-up date on Tuesday evening (March 12th) can take place as planned - rain is again causing problems in Saarbrücken.
Cup game between Saarbrücken and Gladbach on the brink?
In February, persistent rain resulted in the game being canceled by referee Florian Badstübner shortly before kick-off.
“The pitch is in a disastrous condition,” said the referee at the time.
Huge puddles had formed on the pitch in Ludwigspark and the risk of injury to the players was ultimately considered too high.
Is there a risk of a similar scenario in the catch-up game?
The weather report for Tuesday evening in the Saarland state capital suggests at least a water battle between the teams.
The chance of rain is around 90 percent, but the amount of precipitation is expected to be relatively low.
The hosts are currently not expecting the game to be cancelled.
This is what the pitch in Saarbrücken's Ludwigsparkstadion looked like before the canceled DFB Cup quarter-final against Gladbach in February.
© Screenshots Instagram.com @borussia
Saarbrücken coach Ziehl is not expecting a cancellation
“From what the pitch looked like on Saturday and what it looks like now, I firmly believe that we will play,” said Saarbrücken coach Rüdiger Ziehl on Monday.
At the weekend, Saarbrücken celebrated a 2-0 win against Aue.
The lawn there wasn't in the best condition, "but it was still possible to play football," said Ziehl.
“Something definitely needs to be done before the cup duel,” added Ziehl.
“The city will definitely invest several hours of time every day so that the place is even better on Tuesday.”
Just a few days ago, representatives of the DFB, 1. FC Saarbrücken and the city visited the pitch.
“Everyone involved agreed that the lawn was in good condition for the season,” said a press release from the state capital on March 8th.
My news
Hamann goes to BVB captain Canlesen with a “brain” announcement
Werder legend Diego celebrates his birthday – and shows himself in beast mode
These are the players' wives of the DFB Starslesen
How strangely Guirassy reveals the Nagelsmann secret about VfB stars and takes aim at a Sky reporter
Nagelsmann makes squad announcement: Everything new shortly before the 2024 European Championship?read
When and where will the European Championship 2024 take place?
All stages and dates at a glance
As long as the grass holds up: 1. FC Saarbrücken is planning the next cup coup
After the canceled cup game, the city had already invested a lot in Ludwigspark: First, a new turf was laid.
After the third division game against Bielefeld, in which large pieces of the grass came loose due to rain, “damaged turf was replaced in an area of around 100 m²,” writes the city.
However, there is still no urgently needed drainage - so the hope for a small amount of precipitation remains with everyone involved.
As long as the pitch in Saarbrücken holds up, the hosts will be aiming for the next cup sensation.
In the second round, the FCS sensationally eliminated FC Bayern Munich, and in the round of 16 they knocked Eintracht Frankfurt out of the competition.
And even the chance of reaching the final is realistic: If Saarbrücken wins against Gladbach, a duel against second division relegation candidate 1. FC Kaiserslautern awaits in the semi-finals.
(LuHa)