Foals rescue point after stunning second-half comeback in Darmstadt

At the end of the fourth Bundesliga matchday, Borussia came back from 3-0 down at half time to draw 3-3. Jordan, Florian Neuhaus and Tomáš Čvančara were the goalscorers.

In front of 17,810 spectators at the sold-out Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor, the hosts enjoyed a significantly better start. They came out of the traps impressively and went 2-0 ahead with less than 10 minutes on the clock. Marvin Mehlem netted the opener before Matej Maglica headed a second just two minutes later. The Foals then grew into the match more but failed to create any big goalscoring chances. Instead, Darmstadt added to their lead before the break as Tim Skarke made it 3-0. The second half started in dramatic fashion. After just four minutes, Darmstadt defender Matej Maglica saw the red card for handball. A penalty was also given for the Foals, but Čvančara could not convert. Instead, new signing Jordan, on his first start for the club, made it 3-1 a few minutes later. The Foals remained camped in the hosts’ half afterwards and it paid off. Firstly, Florian Neuhaus, who came on at half time along with Nico Elvedi, Luca Netz and Tomáš Čvančara, made it 3-2 before Čvančara scored the equaliser.

TEAM NEWS

Head coach Gerardo Seoane made two changes to the starting eleven from the 2-1 defeat to FC Bayern München in the last match before the international break, with Franck Honorat and Jordan coming in for Florian Neuhaus and Tomáš Čvančara. In defence, Seoane opted for a back four of Joe Scally, Marvin Friedrich, Ko Itakura and Max Wöber. Rocco Reitz and Franck Honorat started in midfield either side of captain Julian Weigl. In attack were Nathan Ngoumou, Alassane Plea and Jordan.

In addition to Jonas Omlin (shoulder operation), Manu Koné and Christoph Kramer (still in recovery training) were unavailable. The match also came too early for Jan Olschowsky, who missed training during the week due to illness. Luca Netz meanwhile overcame muscle issues to return to the squad on the bench.

FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHTS:

8’: The hosts take an early lead. Holland’s long ball finds Mehlem, who arrives in the centre, takes a few steps and strikes into the bottom corner for 1-0.

10’: A double whammy from Darmstadt! Just two minutes after the opening goal, Kempe puts a cross into the box following a corner and Maglica heads in to make it 2-0.

19’: Honorat clips a free kick from about 25 metres out towards the near post. Wöber arrives but misses the ball by the narrowest of margins.

31’: A stroke of luck for the Foals as the ball lands at the feet of Skarke, but he hits the post from 18 metres.

34’: Skarke makes it 3-0. Following a Kempe free kick, Klarer sets up Skarke, who volleys home.

SECOND HALF HIGHLIGHTS:

49’: Although play had initially continued, the referee checks VAR and gives a penalty and a red card for Maglica after a handball by the Darmstadt player. Čvančara though strikes the penalty straight at goalkeeper Schuhen.

56’: Reitz goes on a great solo run, leaving three opponents in his wake. He then squares it to Jordan who slots home for 3-1.

73’: Neuhaus scores and it’s 3-2! Čvančara heads it to Neuhaus, who nutmegs Schuhen.

77’: What a screamer! Čvančara hooks the ball in on the turn from 20 metres to make it 3-3.

90+3: Weigl chips the ball into Hack in the penalty area, but Schuhen saves his effort from close range.

90+7’: Honorat crosses from the right side into Neuhaus in the centre, who heads towards goal, but Schuhen holds on at the second attempt.

STATISTICS

SV Darmstadt 98: Schuhen - Klarer, Maglica, Karic – Bader (Nürnberger 41’), Kempe (Isherwood 72’), Gjasula, Holland, Marvin Mehlem (Riedel 81’) - L. Pfeiffer (Franjic 72’), Skarke (Seydel 81’) // Unused substitutes: Behrens, Schnellhardt, Stojilkovic, Müller

Borussia: Nicolas – Scally (Netz 46’), Friedrich (Elvedi 46’), Itakura, Wöber – Reitz (Hack 62’), Weigl, Honorat – Ngoumou (Čvančara 46’), Plea (Neuhaus 46’), Jordan // Unused substitutes: Sippel, Hack, Ranos, Borges Sanches

Goals: 1-0 Mehlem (8’), 2-0 Maglica (10’), 3-0 Skarke (34’), 3-1 Jordan (57’), 3-2 Neuhaus (73’), 3-3 Čvančara (77’)

Yellow cards: Schuhen / Itakura

Red cards: Maglica

Attendance: 17.810 (sold-out)

Referee: Timo Gerach (Landau)