In an interview, Luca Netz discusses his side’s 5-2 derby win against 1. FC Köln, how he saw Marvin Friedrich and Lars Stindl’s goals, and running to the fans after the game.
Luca, after a great home game against 1. FC Köln, Gladbach came out with a 5-2 win in the derby. How are you feeling the day after?
Netz: I’m doing great, the mood after our last win is still very high. Derby wins are always something special. It was a fantastic performance from the whole team, and when you know that the fans are happy, you always sleep better (smiles). I am also very pleased to have got a couple of minutes towards the end. The atmosphere got us going right from the warm up. Everyone from the team was up for this game.
Marvin Friedrich’s goal to make it 1-0 came about under rather peculiar circumstances. How did you perceive it?
Netz: I was warming up at the time. I didn’t exactly see how the ball went in. But a goal’s a goal, no matter how it goes in. Marvin scored his first goal for Borussia and I’m very happy for him. He then ran straight to me after he scored, so we celebrated together.
The joy from taking the lead was short-lived, as Köln got level quickly afterwards. But you showed a good reaction right away…
Netz: Exactly, the team didn’t just sulk about it. In football, you can always concede. What is important is that you don’t deviate from your principles. We got ourselves right back into the game, continued with our gameplan, and deservedly went 2-1 up shortly before the break.
Right after half-time, captain Lars Stindl made it 3-1 with a stunning strike from distance. How did you see that one?
Netz: Manu Koné was getting stuck into a serious duel from where the ball bounced. Julian Weigl managed to intercept and pass it right into Lars’ feet – then he simply took a deep breath, let fly and it was in (laughs).
You were substituted on as along with Patrick Hermann and Stefan Lainer. As soon as you were on, Köln got one back – but you didn’t let that bother you…
Netz: Conceding right after coming on was very annoying, we had just got onto the pitch and we wanted to find our feet. And then the ball was in the back of the net right away. But we picked ourselves up straight away, and were able to ultimately get out fifth goal.
After the game, you started the celebrations right away. How did running towards the north stand come about?
Netz: Hoffi started it. He started to run, and called to us all “come on, come on!” We of course all started to run and then celebrated with the fans. The atmosphere, of course, was great. We were happy to be able to give back to the fans with our win.
