There’s huge anticipation around Arminia Bielefeld and it’s now the same at Borussia Mönchengladbach. For the side challenging for the Champions League and third placed in the Bundesliga, a game against a top side in the 3. Liga is definitely one of the most attractive ties for the quarter-finals of the DFB Cup, the draw for which took place on Sunday evening by former women’s international Nia Künzer and assistant manager of the national side Thomas Schneider.
All eyes will be on Bielefeld on either 7th or 8th April as the SchücoArena will play host to the showdown between the two sides. Will Arminia be able to pull off another upset? “Borussia Mönchengladbach are a superb side and we’re hugely looking forward to the game,” said Manuel Junglas to DFB.de. “An upset will only be possible if everything goes to plan once again.”
Ticket pre-sale: Arminia expecting huge demand
The 26-year-old midfielder has played a big part in Bielefeld’s incredible run in the competition this season. The final in Berlin (30th May) is now only two wins away. Arminia dominated and beat second division SV Sandhausen 4-1 in round one, before knocking out Hertha BSC on penalties (4-2) in the second round. And last Wednesday they defeated Bundesliga side Werder Bremen 3-1 in the last 16 thanks to two goals from Junglas.
Arminia are already getting excited about the game against Mönchengladbach in four weeks time. The ticket pre-sale starts today and they are expecting huge demand as the whole region is behind Arminia.
Meier: “The team deserves to play Mönchengladbach”
Manager Norbert Meier now has a few weeks of intensive work ahead of him. On the one hand he wants to let the feeling sink in and take that into their next few games in the 3. Liga. On the other hand, he doesn’t want to let the result take over. Bielefeld aren’t far off a return to the 2. Bundesliga. “Mönchengladbach is an attractive tie that the side has fully deserved,” said Meier to DFB.de. “Borussia are pushing to get in the Champions League but our next ‘cup game’ will be on Saturday against Hansa Rostock.”
It’s clear what Meier wanted to say: The league takes priority at the moment as promotion is the most important goal for their season. Arminia slipped up in some respects after their win against Werder in Saturday’s game against Dortmund II as they drew 1-1 with the side who currently sit third bottom of the 3. Liga- the goalscorer was Fabian Klos. “Sometimes you have to be happy with a point,” said Meier. “I don’t blame the team at all as the guys gave their all and put pressure on their opposition until the final whistle. Who knows how vital this point could be come the end of the season.”
Preparations for quarter-final already under way
Despite their promotion ambitions, the meeting with Mönchengladbach will overshadow all of that, as DSC Chief Executive Marcus Uhlig explained: “I’m excited for the quarter-final at the SchücoArena and to be reunited with Frank Geideck. The game will be a huge challenge both on the pitch and from an organisational point of view. The preparations behind the scenes have already begun but our focus is still on the next few weeks in the 3. Liga.”
After the home game against Rostock on Saturday (14:00 CET), they will come up against VfB Stuttgart II, before hosting Energie Cottbus. Then comes the game against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Arminia are the side being talked about as all the rest of the teams left in the competition are all in the Bundesliga: Bayer Leverkusen will play Bayern München, Borussia Dortmund have been drawn against 1899 Hoffenheim and Wolfsburg will meet SC Freiburg.