SV Elversberg head coach Vincent Wagner expressed satisfaction following a dramatic 4-3 comeback victory against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday, marking a historic moment as it was the club's first Bundesliga away match. After falling behind 3-1 early in the second half, Elversberg showcased resilience and determination, with Maurice Krattenmacher igniting the comeback in the 66th minute. Felix Keidel then leveled the match with a stunning direct free-kick before Krattenmacher netted his second goal in stoppage time, sealing a remarkable win for the newly-promoted side.
This victory comes on the heels of Elversberg's impressive 3-2 upset against defending Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen in their season opener. With two wins from two matches, Elversberg is making a strong statement in their inaugural season in Germany's top flight, demonstrating their potential to compete at this level.
Wagner highlighted the importance of self-belief among his players, noting that while they have shown great character, there is still room for growth. "We simply believe in ourselves," Wagner remarked after the match. "We still don’t believe in ourselves enough. At halftime, there was some frustration about how we weren’t intelligent in certain situations." He emphasized the need for courage and confidence as they navigate the challenges of the Bundesliga.
The coach also praised the impact of his substitutes, particularly Krattenmacher, who came on in the 65th minute and quickly made his mark. Noel Futkeu also contributed by assisting Krattenmacher's late winner. Wagner acknowledged the depth of his squad, stating, "We just have a cool mentality. Both on and off the pitch. One can see that every day in training. Great characters. Today, the bench played their role in the result."
Despite the jubilant victory, Wagner's post-match comments also reflected frustration over a controversial second goal scored by Gladbach. Just before halftime, a throw-in decision went against Elversberg, leading to Hugo Bolin's goal. Wagner felt the decision was unjust, stating, "I think everyone saw it. I find it pretty outrageous." His protests to the referee resulted in a yellow card, which escalated to a second yellow after he sought further clarification at halftime, leading to his dismissal from the match.
Wagner explained his intentions during the incident, saying, "I simply wanted to have a calm conversation with the referee, including during halftime. There was no aggressive movement. That’s why I walked toward him completely relaxed, very slowly, very gently. Apparently, I’m not allowed to do that either."
As Elversberg continues to build on their strong start in the Bundesliga, the focus will be on maintaining their momentum and addressing any challenges that arise, both on and off the pitch. With their next match approaching, the team will look to carry the confidence gained from this thrilling victory into future encounters.
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