Year in Review 2023: An emotional reunion and another win against Bayern

As we look back on 2023, we take a closer look at the months of January and February. The Foals not only managed to defeat record champions Bayern Munich at home at BORUSSIA-PARK, but also enjoyed an emotional reunion there.

ON THE PITCH: 

After a long winter break, Borussia had a rather sobering start to the calendar year. It was too little too late for the Foals in the opening fixture of 2023 against Bayer Leverkusen and Lars Stindl's two goals in the last 10 minutes of the game were not enough to overcome the three goal deficit. Another loss followed away to FC Augsburg, after conceding late on. The Foals turned things round in the game in Hoffenheim. The 4-1 victory was their win on the road of the season. Following that, Gladbach only managed to pick up one points in the fixtures against FC Schalke (0-0) and Hertha BSC (4-1 loss). Ahead of the home clash against Bayern, Borussia found themselves in ninth position in the standings. After the record champions received an early red card, the Foals put in a determined performance to win the match 3-2. However, the euphoria didn't last long; the victory was immediately followed by a 4-0 defeat in Mainz.

STANDOUT MOMENT:

Just 30 days after saying goodbye to the Foals, Yann Sommer returned to BORUSSIA-PARK. After eight and a half years at the club, the goalkeeper signed for the record champions during the winter break. Sommer was given an official farewell ahead of the clash between the two teams. Before the second half got kicked off, the Swiss made his way to the goal in front of the Nordkurve. The VfL fans applauded him and chanted his name. The reunion was a special moment for the keeper, even if he was on the losing side that day. "I would have liked to have won here," said Sommer. "But I still want to say a big thank you to the club and the fans for the way that they welcomed me. I definitely don't take that for granted."

OFF THE PITCH:

• Christoph Kramer signed a two-year contract extension to take him until June 2025. Academy product Jan Olschowsky signed a new contract, lasting until summer 2027. Up-and-coming talent Simon Walde also signed a professional contract.
• Rocco Reitz was loaned out to Belgian first-division side VV St. Truiden for half a year. Torben Müsel also moved to third-tier team Rot-Weiß Essen.
• Yann Sommer left Borussia after eight and a half years at the club and completed a move to FC Bayern. The Foals signed Swiss international Jonas Omlin as his replacement from HSC Montpellier, who signed a contract until summer 2027.
• As part of the special exhibition "Responsibility in Football Boots", Professor Manfred Lämmer from the German Sport University Cologne, soccer commentator Robby Hunke and Dr. Leah Floh, Chairwoman of the Jewish Community of Mönchengladbach, spoke at a discussion evening on the topic of "German-Israeli soccer friendship". Among other things, they discussed the historical significance of Borussia's friendly match in Israel in 1970.
• Borussia and Santander Bank came to an agreement on the early extension of the co-partner and main youth sponsor contract until 2026. Borussia also extended its partnership with Sonepar, which was named innovation and sustainability partner. The agreement was extended by a further six years until 2029.
• Borussia donated the profits made from ticket sales of the legends match held on 17th December 2022 to five charities. 10,000 euros were donated to each organisation.
• After the earthquake disaster in Turkey and Syria, the Borussia foundation, in cooperation with Borussia's premium partner apotal, gave aid to those affected by providing medication and medical supplies with a pharmacy value of around 100,000 euros.
• Borussia wants to create a sustainable future, strengthen climate awareness and promote development in this regard. In order to achieve this goal, the first step was certification for more sustainable operations by TÜV Rheinland. This involved assessing and evaluating both the measures already implemented and the further steps towards sustainability over the next three years.
• Borussia mourned the death of Karl Heinz Mülhausen. The former VfL player, who won the DFB-Pokal with the Foals in 1960, passed away in the middle of February at the age of 85.

IN WORDS:

Jonas Hofmann: "It has been really up and down for us so far this season. It's hard to achieve your goals in this league when you lack consistency. That's why we've got to kick on from this victory and always show the same desire to win that we had in the Bayern game."