Bielefeld rewritten history. Andrich: The worst match of the season
BRATISLAVA. It was a duel of David with Goliath. German third -league Arminia Bielefeld had a challenging challenge ahead.
In the semifinal of the German Cup, he welcomed the last winner of the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal Bayer Leverkusen.
« We want to write our own history in the cup. From the beginning. We expect to add another chapter to our book tomorrow, » said Mitch Kniat, only a 39-year-old coach who runs the Bielefeld with the second season.
« We want to go to Berlin. If you are afraid, you’d better stay at home, » he told the players and viewers.
No one went to sleep
The day before the meeting, he had such an inflammation that, according to his own words, he would overcome the current two in the world of tennis.
« I believe one hundred percent in a miracle. I would also stand up to Alexander Zverev and told him I was going to defeat him, » laughed journalists Kniat.
The laughter turned into surprised faces the next day. It has been almost impossible. Bielefeld eliminated Leverkusen (2: 1). One of the best clubs not only in Germany but also in the world.
« I’m proud of this team. The whole region is excited. No one will go to bed today, » he said after the Kniat procedure.
Bielefeld coach showed that if you believe in something enough, it can be done. « We defended us and that was crucial. We worked hard on this win. We deserved to win, » he added.
The worst match of the season
Bielefeld in his club history reached the German Cup semifinals three times. But he dropped out three times. He succeeded on the fourth attempt, and maybe in the hardest test.
He became only the fourth three -league player who advanced to the German Cup final. The last time Union Berlin succeeded in 2001.
Bielefeld players celebrate the advance to the finals. (Author: SR Press Agency)
But he became the first third league in German history to eliminate four units of the highest league competition on his way to Berlin. Union Berlin, Freiburg, Werder Bremen and the latest Bayer Leverkusen.
« It was far from our worst match of the season, » said Leverkusen’s midfielder Robert Andrich. Bayer is missing a key player, the creator of Florian Wirtz, for injury. It was reflected in the performance.
They focus on the league
« We are disappointed, but this is football, » added the coach of Xabi Alonso. According to goalkeeper Lukáš Hradecký, they will transfer the anger from this loss to the fighting in the Bundesliga.
Bielefeld players rejoice in the goal of Leverkusen. (Author: TASR/AP)
Leverkusen has already dropped out of the Champions League. His only chance of the title is the league competition, but on the first Bayern Munich he loses seven laps before the end of the competition 6 points.
According to Alons, they are maximally concentrated on the struggle for ‘Meisterschale’: « It will not be easy, but we try. It is our only competition by the end of the season. »
Bielefeld will recognize the challenge in the German Cup final on Wednesday, when the second semifinals between Stuttgart and Lipsko will take place.
