As of: March 13, 2024, 7:02 p.m
By: Luca Hartmann
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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.
DFB Cup quarter-finals: 1. FC Saarbrücken – Borussia Mönchengladbach (8.30 p.m.)
Lawn in Saarbrücken fit: DFB Cup quarter-finals can probably take place
Rain again: Cup game between Saarbrücken and Gladbach on the brink?
Update from March 12th, 3 p.m.:
Breathe a sigh of relief in Saarbrücken: The DFB Cup quarter-finals in the evening can apparently take place as planned.
A few hours before kick-off, the pitch in the Ludwigsparkstadion was inspected again by representatives of the state capital, the DFB and the FCS and found to be good.
Lawn in Saarbrücken fit: DFB Cup quarter-finals can probably take place
The lawn is therefore playable and has improved compared to Monday.
The city said it was confident that the game could take place.
In some places the newly laid lawn still needs to be repaired.
On Tuesday morning, the weather in the Saarland state capital also cooperated: Despite thick clouds, it remained dry.
First report from March 12th, 12:59 p.m.:
Saarbrücken - Once again the 1. FC Saarbrücken pitch is the focus of attention: The third division team'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.
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?
Rain again: Cup game between Saarbrücken and Gladbach on the brink?
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.
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“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.
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)