Elversberg’s Vincent Wagner comments on sending off and squad’s sensational Bundesliga start | OneFootball

SV Elversberg head coach Vincent Wagner could ultimately afford to smile about a controversial refereeing decision after his newly-promoted side completed a sensational 4-3 comeback win away at Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday.

Elversberg trailed 3-1 shortly before the hour mark in the first Bundesliga away match in club history. Maurice Krattenmacher pulled one back in the 66th minute before Felix Keidel’s superb direct free-kick levelled proceedings. Krattenmacher then completed his brace in stoppage time to secure another remarkable victory for the Saarland club.

After defeating defending Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen 3-2 on the opening matchday, Elversberg have now taken maximum points from their first two fixtures in the German top flight.

For Wagner, the ability to recover from a two-goal deficit reflected a conviction he still believes his players can develop further.

“We simply believe in ourselves,” Wagner said when asked to comment on the comeback. “We still don’t believe in ourselves enough. At halftime, there was some frustration about how we weren’t intelligent in certain situations.

“We can still play good football and we know we can play good football,” Wagner continued. “You have to believe in yourself in this league. As I said last week, I’d like to see [even] more courage.”

Vincent Wagner praises Elversberg’s “cool mentality”

Elversberg’s second-half response also owed plenty to Wagner’s substitutes. Krattenmacher entered in the 65th minute and scored barely a minute later. Noel Futkeu subsequently came off the bench and assisted Krattenmacher’s stoppage-time winner.

“We just have a cool mentality,” Wagner said. “Both on and off the pitch. One can see that every day in training. Great characters. Today, the bench played their role in the result. I’m not surprised as I’ve been accompanying the guys for almost 14 months now.”

“And, as I’ve always said, a little luck belongs in the equation as well,” Wagner added. “The game could have ended up differently. [Gladbach keeper] Moritz Nicolas made a mistake on the 3-2.”

Wagner furious over Gladbach’s controversial second goal

Elversberg’s frustration began immediately before Gladbach took a 2-1 lead shortly before halftime. Tim Kleindienst had clearly touched the ball last during a duel with Keidel, meaning Elversberg should have been awarded the ensuing throw-in. Kleindienst instead quickly collected the ball and restarted play himself.

Gladbach subsequently scored through Hugo Bolin.

Because the mistake related to the awarding of the throw-in, VAR could not intervene.

“I think everyone saw it,” Wagner told Sky Germany after the match. “I find it pretty outrageous.”

Wagner’s protests eventually resulted in his dismissal. The Elversberg trainer initially received a yellow card before attempting to speak with referee Martin Petersen again after the halftime whistle. Wagner entered the pitch and was shown a second yellow.

“I simply wanted to have a calm conversation with the referee, including during halftime,” Wagner explained. “There was no aggressive movement. That’s why I walked toward him completely relaxed, very slowly, very gently. Apparently I’m not allowed to do that either.”

GGFN | Peter Weis