Year in Review: Strong home performances, Lainer's recovery and 100,000 members

As we look back on 2023, we take a closer look at the months of November and December. The Foals continued their strong run of home form, Stefan Lainer made a return to training and Borussia celebrated hitting the 100,000 member mark.

ON THE PITCH

Borussia drew 3-3 away to SC Freiburg, after conceding in the last minute, but then beat VfL Wolfsburg 4-0 at home in the next game - their best result of the season so far. Academy product Rocco Reitz netted his first Bundesliga goal in the match. Despite a determined performance away in Dortmund, the Foals suffered a 4-2 loss to BVB, before claiming a 2-1 victory over TSG Hoffenheim at BORUSSIA-PARK and beating VfL Wolfsburg 1-0 in the last minute of extra time, thereby booking themselves a place in the DFB-Pokal quarter finals. VfL then lost 3-1 away at Union Berlin, before drawing 2-2 with Werder Bremen at home, thanks to Reitz's brace. The final game of the calendar year ended unfortunately for the Foals, who led for the majority of the match, before conceding two goals to Eintracht Frankfurt in additional time (2-1 loss).

STANDOUT MOMENT

Stefan Lainer, who was diagnosed with lymph node cancer in July, successfully completed the treatment he underwent over the preceding months and the cancer was cured. The 31-year-old has already been partially reintegrated into team training. "We're all really pleased that Stevie is back," said vice-captain Julian Weigl. "You can tell how much he missed playing football. Everyone knows that Stevie is a real fighter. His character alone is so important for the team."

OFF THE PITCH

• Lukas Ullrich suffered an injury to his shoulder and had to be operated on at a special clinic in Berlin by a shoulder specialist. The 19-year-old was therefore out of action until the end of the year.
• U23 attacker Ryan Naderi signed a contract until 2027.
• Around 4,100 visitors flocked to the Hennes-Weisweiler-Allee for the 13th edition of the St. Martin's Day processions at BORUSSIA-PARK (record attendance).
• "100,000 club!" Borussia celebrated hitting the 100,000 member mark, becoming the fifth Bundesliga side and the seventh football team in Germany to reach this mark. To celebrate this milestone and to say thank you to all members for their support, there will be numerous events over the coming weeks.
• Borussia mourned the passing of Rolf Göttel, who was "the voice of Bökelberg" and much more. The man born and raised in Mönchengladbach passed away on 15th December at the age of 79. Borussia also mourned the death of Dieter Baumanns, who played for Gladbach between 1967-68. Baumanns died at the age of 75.
• After a three-year break due to the coronavirus pandemic, Borussia brought back the traditional advent coffee event. Around 800 boys and girls from children's homes and youth centres in Mönchengladbach and the surrounding area were invited to the VIP lounge at BORUSSIA-PARK.
• At the third FohlenClub members talk at the Bökelberg cinema at FohlenWelt, the focus was on captaincy. Julian Weigl (first team), Michel Lieder (U23s) and Kristina Bartsch (women's first team) discussed the topic with the 40 members in attendance.
• Borussia and its co-sponsor and cybersecurity partner suresecure extended their partnership until 2027 and also expanded the scope of their collaboration.
• Memorial stones have now been laid in Mönchengladbach in honour of former VfLplayer Alfred Rosen and his family. Borussia sponsored these memorial plaques.
• Borussia's women's team ended the first half of the season in eleventh position in the standings. "We're not letting anything get in our way. We're proud of how the girls are developing and we'll carry on driving this development in the right direction," said coach Jonas Spengler.

QUOTE:

Roland Virkus, Borussia's managing director for sport: "We're in the middle of a process of development and it's still not over. We have good phases and not so good phases, but it's great to see that some players are now also taking on the roles we outlined to them before the season."