Moenchengladbach retain Bundesliga spot

VfL Borussia Moenchengladbach drew tonight one-all against VfL Bochum at the Ruhrstadion to maintain their spot in the German Bundesliga after a 2-1 aggregate win in the Relegation Playoffs after Gladbach had won their home tie 1-0 at the Borussia Park last Thursday.

The Relegation Playoffs in the German Bundesliga are the most important set of matches in the season, then the team which finishes 16th in the Bundesliga face the team which finished third in the 2.Bundesliga to play out if the teams remain in their respective leagues or gets promoted/relegated. For the clubs being in the Bundesliga means a guaranteed additional revenues of 10 to 20 Million Euros depending on the size of the club.

And the two west derbies over the last six days were action packed and only small differences decided that Moenchengladbach stay in the premier tier, while Bochum remain in 2.Bundesliga. In the first leg Gladbach's Igor de Camargo had scored the winner late in injury time.

It meant Bochum had to score at least once to take the match into extra-time. Bochum seemed up to the task then after an initial period of a wait and watch they took charge of the game. After a mistake in midfield by Gladbach's Martin Stranzl a Christoph Dambrowski ball was put into his own goal by Norwegian Havard Nordtveit in the 24th minute. Bochum had more of the game, but not the chances to double the lead.

After the break Gladbach did more for their attack and they were rewarded with a 72nd minute equaliser from Marco Reus off a Igor de Camargo through ball. Bochum now needed two goals to gain promotion, but the Ruhr valley side lost their composure and became hectic in their approach with no real chance to get another goal towards the end of the game.

After the final whistle it was party time for Gladbach - the players, management and fans. And it marked one of the most remarkable comebacks in German football, then Gladbach had spend most of the season in last or the relegation zone and survived due to an excellent late rally in the season.