The departure of Borussia Mönchengladbach academy player Rocco Reitz to RB Leipzig this summer has predictably sparked backlash from the club’s supporters. Fans traveling to Leipzig for the Bundesliga match displayed several banners criticizing Reitz’s decision to join the controversial German club.
With regular captain Tim Kleindienst sidelined due to injury for much of the current Bundesliga season, Reitz has been wearing the captain’s armband for Gladbach. Head coach Eugen Polanski anticipated some dissent regarding Reitz retaining the captaincy ahead of the match against Leipzig.
Polanski addressed questions about Reitz in both pre- and post-match press conferences. Similar to protests against former sporting director Max Eberl’s move to Leipzig, Gladbach fans at the Red Bull Arena made it clear that their club, which prides itself on its tradition, opposes moves to organizations not adhering to the 50+1 ownership rule.
Gladbach’s Protest Banners Against Rocco Reitz
Throughout the game, fans in the away section unfurled multiple banners targeting Reitz. One banner, directly confronted by Reitz after the 0-1 defeat, was displayed repeatedly alongside two pennants highlighting Borussia Mönchengladbach’s founding in 1900, contrasting it with RB Leipzig’s establishment in 2009. The banner read, “Wer sein will darf nie unsere Kapitän sein!” which translates to “Whoever wants to be here isn’t allowed to be our captain!”
It’s evident that Gladbach supporters were not pleased with Polanski’s seemingly relaxed stance on Reitz’s situation during the pre-match press conference. Despite the team being considered relatively safe from relegation by most Bundesliga journalists, Gladbach is still technically battling to avoid the drop.
Eugen Polanski’s Statements on Rocco Reitz
“We anticipated this question,” Polanski stated at the pre-match press conference. “It’s not on my mind, and I don’t believe it’s on Rocco’s mind either. He’s not an RB lad [yet]. For now, he’s a Gladbach lad and wants to say goodbye properly. Furthermore, when you play for your future club, you want to showcase your best performance.”
“We are all in favor of free speech at this club,” Polanski commented at the post-match press conference. “The fans have a legitimate right to display such banners. Rocco, having made this decision, understands that he must face the consequences. People are permitted to express their opinions, and I didn’t find anything particularly objectionable about it.”
