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Madrid (AP) - Borussia Mönchengladbach's eighth-final dream in the Champions League has come true despite a discouraged appearance at 0: 2 (0: 2) in the preliminary round final.

For the first time in 43 years, Borussia is back in the second round of the European premier class, although coach Marco Rose's team lost at Real Madrid.

With the help of Inter Milan and Schachtjor Donetsk, who played 0-0 at the same time, Gladbach made it into the knockout round for the first time in his third Champions League participation as second in Group B behind Real.

In the previous competition, the European Champions Cup, the five-time German champion had always made it to the round of 16 in the 1970s.

This time, after strong appearances in the preliminary round, luck was there at least in the last group game at the premier class record winner.

Due to the draw of the group opponents in Milan, Gladbach remained second behind Real (10) with eight points after six games, despite the defeats in the previous week against Inter (2: 3) and now in Madrid.

The goals of the French star striker Karim Benzema (9th minute / 32nd) were just as painful in the end as unusual offensive weaknesses.

After 14 competitive games in a row with at least one goal, the eleven from the Niederrhein went empty-handed this time.

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Nevertheless, Borussia will be in the round of 16 pots on December 14th and can also look forward to further income of 9.5 million euros in addition to the around 32 million euros earned so far.

Rose and his players would have liked to have earned this with a courageous appearance at the 13-time “Henkelpott” winner.

But the Gladbachers were too nervous for that on Wednesday.

Before kick-off, Rose wanted to set an example with his line-up.

In captain Lars Stindl, Champions League top scorer Alassane Plea, Marcus Thuram and Breel Embolo, all of his offensive power was deployed to set the direction.

«That's what defines us.

We want to stay with us, ”said the Borussia coach before the game at DAZN.

In addition, he promised stability for the last defensive defense of starting XI returnees Nico Elvedi.

After a ten-day injury break, the Swiss central defender was back in the starting eleven in the preliminary round, but didn't seem really fit and allowed Rodrygo to cross Rodrygo before Benzema's second goal.

In general, the Gladbachers were too passive and hesitant in crucial situations.

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After less than ten minutes, captain Stindl made a bad pass with serious consequences, which led to the far too easy lead for Real by striker Benzema.

«We need top performance.

We have to keep Real busy and set tasks, ”said Rose.

This did not succeed.

Instead, nerves often failed, for example when Plea, who was so accurate in the end, set a free-standing counterattack next to the goal (25th).

Real, however, could not be compared with the returning captain Sergio Ramos with the team that was recently so badly criticized and had put itself under pressure in the Champions League.

This time the record winner of the premier class performed exactly as the 34-time Spanish champion had previously announced.

"For us, only the win counts," said Real coach Zinedine Zidane, who should have feared for his job when Real missed the Champions League round of 16 for the first time.

The weakened Gladbach defense, however, came towards him and Real.

After half an hour Benzema was again too free to head.

The striker did not miss this.

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After the change, Rose made another tactical change and brought in Valentino Lazaro and Denis Zakaria for Oscar Wendt and the disappointing Embolo.

Gladbach got stronger, but remained unlucky in attack.

This did not matter after anxious final minutes and the view of Milan in the end.

The victory also spared Real a historical disgrace.

Coach Zinedine Zidane's team threatened to end the preliminary round for the first time in their 25th Champions League participation.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 201209-99-634975 / 2

Champions League schedule

Groups Champions League

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Squad lists of both teams

UEFA to the game

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Information and statistics from UEFA

Gladbach coach Rose before the game

Real coach Zidane before the game