Borussia Mönchengladbach second-string team don show say dem get strong heart as dem come from two goals down to draw 2-2 with third division leaders VfL Osnabrück for friendly match wey happen on Thursday. The match wey play for Bremer Brücke stadium see Gladbach coach Eugen Polanski use plenty young players from academy because eleven first-team players dey away for national team duty.
The match start with Osnabrück wey dey top of 3. Liga table come show say dem no fear Gladbach wey dey Bundesliga side. The home team begin with strong pressure and dem get first chance for 8th minute when Janotta shoot ball over crossbar. Gladbach wey dey field mix of youth and few experienced players like Kevin Stöger and Yannick Engelhardt struggle to find rhythm for early minutes.
Osnabrück break the deadlock for 28th minute when Janotta head ball inside net after corner kick from Christensen. The goal come as reward for Osnabrück wey dey control game better. Things turn worse for Gladbach when experienced goalkeeper Tobias Sippel get injury for 36th minute without any contact with opponent. The 38-year-old keeper who just make good save against Osnabrück striker Meißner earlier for the match come leave field with calf problem.
Florian Dimmer wey come replace Sippel for goal face immediate pressure as Osnabrück score second goal just two minutes after substitution. Ajdini receive pass from Badjie inside penalty area and shoot ball into far corner for 38th minute to make score 2-0. Gladbach almost reduce deficit before half-time when Yassir Atty shot get saved and Marvin Friedrich header get pushed over crossbar by Osnabrück goalkeeper Sauter.
After half-time break, Gladbach come back with better performance and dem begin dominate game. The young players show more confidence and dem start create chances. The breakthrough come for 55th minute when Wael Mohya receive through pass from Kevin Stöger, beat goalkeeper Sauter with cool finish through legs to make score 2-1.
Gladbach continue push for equalizer as dem control possession and limit Osnabrück to few counter-attacks. Florian Neuhaus try long-range free-kick for 71st minute but ball go over crossbar. Kemal Cirpan and Yannick Michaelis also try shots from distance but dem miss target as snow begin fall for stadium.
The equalizer finally come for 83rd minute when Veit Stange poke ball over goal line after scramble inside Osnabrück penalty area. The goal come as reward for Gladbach second-half performance wey show big improvement from first half. Dimmer make important save for 89th minute to deny Henning shot and secure 2-2 draw for Gladbach.
The match statistics show Gladbach have more possession and shots on target for second half while Osnabrück defend well to protect their lead. The attendance for Bremer Brücke stadium na 5,621 spectators including about 700 Gladbach fans wey travel for the match.
Coach Eugen Polanski talk after match say him happy with performance of young players especially for second half. Him say the friendly match give opportunity for academy players to gain experience against strong opponent. Polanski also express concern about Sippel injury but say medical team dey assess the situation.
Osnabrück coach Schultz say him proud of his team performance against Bundesliga side. Him say the draw show progress for his team wey dey top of 3. Liga table. Schultz praise his players for good first half but admit say Gladbach deserve equalizer based on second-half pressure.
The match serve as only friendly for Gladbach during international break while Osnabrück play another friendly against Hannover 96 on Wednesday. Gladbach next competitive match na Bundesliga game against Heidenheim for April 4 at Borussia-Park stadium. Osnabrück next match na 3. Liga game against bottom team Schweinfurt for Saturday.
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