Pascal Groß Explained

Pascal Groß
Full Name:Pascal Groß[1]
Birth Date:15 June 1991
Birth Place:Mannheim, Germany[2]
Height:1.81 m[3]
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Borussia Dortmund
Clubnumber:13
Youthyears1:–2007
Youthclubs1:VfL Neckarau
Youthyears2:2007–2008
Youthclubs2:TSG Hoffenheim
Years1:2008–2011
Clubs1:TSG Hoffenheim
Caps1:5
Goals1:0
Years2:2009–2011
Clubs2:TSG Hoffenheim II
Caps2:17
Goals2:4
Years3:2011–2013
Clubs3:Karlsruher SC
Caps3:25
Goals3:3
Years4:2011
Clubs4:Karlsruher SC II
Caps4:11
Goals4:1
Years5:2012–2017
Clubs5:FC Ingolstadt
Caps5:158
Goals5:17
Years6:2013
Clubs6:FC Ingolstadt II
Caps6:1
Goals6:0
Years7:2017–2024
Clubs7:Brighton & Hove Albion
Caps7:228
Goals7:30
Years8:2024–
Clubs8:Borussia Dortmund
Caps8:0
Goals8:0
Nationalyears1:2008–2009
Nationalteam1:Germany U18
Nationalcaps1:10
Nationalgoals1:2
Nationalyears2:2009
Nationalteam2:Germany U19
Nationalcaps2:2
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2010–2011
Nationalteam3:Germany U20
Nationalcaps3:4
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2023–
Nationalteam4:Germany
Nationalcaps4:8
Nationalgoals4:1
Club-Update:23:38, 19 May 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:23:08, 14 June 2024 (UTC)

Pascal Groß (pronounced as /de/, sometimes rendered in English as Gross; born 15 June 1991) is a German professional footballer who plays as a midfielder or full-back for Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund and the Germany national team.

A versatile player, Groß has played as a defensive-midfielder, right-back, attacking-midfielder or forward in his career.

Groß played for Germany at youth international level.[4] He was called up to the senior squad for the first time aged 32 in August 2023. He made his debut on 9 September 2023 in a friendly against Japan. He was selected for the German final squads at the UEFA Euro 2024.

Club career

Early career

Groß played his first fully professional match in the Bundesliga for 1899 Hoffenheim on 2 May 2009 in a 0–4 loss against VfL Wolfsburg.[5] being substituted on in the 89th minute for Chinedu Obasi. He scored his first senior career goal playing for Hoffenheim II playing against Stuttgarter Kickers II on 16 August 2009. In January 2011, he transferred to Karlsruher SC along with Hoffenheim teammate Marco Terrazzino.[6]

Ingolstadt

In the summer of 2012, Groß joined FC Ingolstadt on a two-year deal.[7] In the 2014–15 season, he played a vital role in the promotion of FC Ingolstadt to the Bundesliga as he scored 7 goals and assisted 23 goals.[8]

Groß scored five league goals for FC Ingolstadt in the 2016–17 season as they were relegated from the Bundesliga. He created more chances than any other player in the league that season, a total of 95 chances.[9]

Brighton & Hove Albion

2017–18 season

In May 2017, Brighton & Hove Albion signed Groß for a fee of £3 million.[10] [11] He agreed to a four-year contract while the transfer fee paid to Ingolstadt was the first of a series of record signings for the club that season.[12]

He made his debut for Brighton in the Premier League on 12 August 2017, in a 2–0 home defeat to title favourites Manchester City.[13] On 9 September 2017, Groß made history by scoring Brighton's first ever Premier League goal, adding a second shortly after half time and providing an assist for Tomer Hemed in a 3–1 win at home against West Bromwich Albion.[14] [15] On 15 September, in Brighton's 2–1 league defeat away to AFC Bournemouth, Groß provided the assist for Solly March's opening goal.[16]

Groß's creative exploits for Brighton throughout the month of September earned him a nomination for the Premier League Player of the Month award. He was a key player for Brighton, being directly involved in four of their league goals scored throughout the month.[17]

On 15 October 2017, Groß provided his third assist of the season for Brighton, setting up Anthony Knockaert in a 1–1 league draw at home to Everton.[18] On 20 November, Groß scored for Brighton in a 2–2 home draw against Stoke City. The goal brought his contribution tally up to three goals and five assists throughout the course of the season.[19]

Groß ended a successful season for Brighton with seven goals and eight assists, including heading the winner against Manchester United on 4 May 2018, a win that secured Brighton's Premier League status.[20] Amongst many highlights, Groß was voted Brighton's player of the season by an overwhelming majority.[21]

On 6 June 2018, Groß signed a contract extension with Brighton, keeping him at the club until 2022.[22]

2018–19 season

He scored against Man United again in another win over the side on 19 August 2018 in Brighton's first win of the 2018–19 season netting the Albion's third in an eventual 3–2 home victory.[23] Groß scored three goals from 4 May 2018 to 19 January 2019 which all came up against Man United. His third coming in a 2–1 away loss at Old Trafford.[24] He made one FA Cup appearance where he came off the bench in a 2–1 home win over Derby County with The Seagulls progressing into the quarter-finals.[25] The Sussex club were eventually knocked out to Manchester City in the semi-final at Wembley.[26] On 27 April 2019, he scored an equaliser at home against Newcastle, helping Brighton claim a point in their fight for survival.[27] On 4 May 2019 Brighton's bitter rivals, Crystal Palace beat Cardiff City – Brighton's relegation rivals – which ensured Brighton's Premier League football for the next season.[28] [29]

2019–20 season

Groß played the whole match in Brighton's opening match of the 2019–20 season where The Seagulls won 3–0 at Watford.[30] On 5 October, a Groß cross was spilt by Spurs' keeper, Hugo Lloris where Pascal's teammate, Neal Maupay nodded home the first in a 3–0 victory over the London side. Lloris dislocated his elbow after an awkward landing from the cross which would rule him out for the rest of 2019.[31] [32] [33] Groß scored his first goal of the season netting the first in an eventual 3–2 home win over Everton on 26 October 2019.[34]

2020–21 season

Groß made his 100th appearance for The Seagulls in which he captained the side in the 2–0 away win over Preston in the EFL Cup on 23 September 2020.[35] He scored his first goal of the season on 28 November, scoring in the 93rd minute from the spot claiming Brighton's first ever Premier League points against the defending champions Liverpool.[36] In the reverse fixture Groß appeared in Brighton's 1–0 away victory over the defending champions on 3 February 2021 claiming their first league win at Anfield since 1982.[37] Groß captained Brighton on 18 May with Lewis Dunk out suspended in the match against champions Manchester City with fans returning to football. He assisted Adam Webster's header which equalised the score at 2–2 – from 2–0 down – in which Brighton went on to win 3–2 for their first victory over The Sky Blues since 1989.[38]

2021–22 season

Groß set up Alexis Mac Allister's winner with a grounded pass into the box in the 2–1 away victory over Burnley on 14 August in the opening game of the 2021–22 season.[39] He then assisted Shane Duffy's header from the corner spot in Brighton's 2–0 home victory over Watford on 21 August in the second game of the season.[40] Groß had a penalty saved by Jack Butland in the home fixture against bitter rivals Crystal Palace on 14 January 2022, failing to put Brighton 1–0 up in an eventual 1–1 draw.[41] On 7 May, he scored his first goal of the campaign, calmly steering in Brighton's third, in an eventual 4–0 victory over Manchester United earning Brighton their biggest ever top flight victory.[42] Groß scored again two games later, his second and the last of the season on the final day of the campaign, putting Brighton ahead after they trailed at half time in the eventual 3–1 home victory over West Ham United. He later assisted Albions third goal, a Danny Welbeck strike, who happened to set up Groß's goal. The victory meant they achieved their highest ever top flight finish, finishing ninth.[43] On 3 June, it was announced that he had signed a new contract with The Albion, signing on until June 2024. Graham Potter was pleased by Groß's extension, commenting “I am delighted for Pascal and the club that he’s now signed," adding "He is an excellent professional on and off the pitch."[44]

2022–23 season

On the opening game of the season Groß scored a brace against Manchester United in the 2–1 away win to claim The Seagulls first ever victory at Old Trafford. The goals also meant he scored three in two games against the Red Devils and four overall.[45] Groß went on to score in Brighton's first home win of the season, as they beat Leeds United 1–0.[46] Groß captained Brighton to a 5–1 away thrashing over Championship side Middlesbrough in the third round of the FA Cup on 7 January 2023. He scored the opening goal of the game, scoring his first ever FA Cup goal.[47] Groß made his 200th appearance for Brighton on 15 March, as the Albion went on to beat their bitter rivals Crystal Palace 1–0 at Falmer Stadium.[48]

On 19 April, Groß signed a contract extension, keeping him with the Seagulls until 2025. Roberto De Zerbi was very delighted with the announcement and cited Groß as "...one of the secrets to Albion’s success."[49] Four days later, he played in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United at Wembely where he played the full 120 minutes and scored a penalty in the shootout which ultimately Brighton lost.[50] During the midweek after the FA Cup semi-final defeat, Groß scored his first Premier League own goal putting Nottingham Forest back level in the eventual 3–1 loss.[51] Groß responded to his unfortunate midweek own goal at the weekend with a brace over Wolverhampton Wanderers, helping Brighton to a 6–0 thrashing, their biggest Premier League victory.[52] He scored his 10th goal of the season on 21 May, putting Brighton back to two goals in front of Southampton in the 3–1 home win which secured Brighton a European spot for the first time in their history.The strike put him level with Glenn Murray and Neal Maupay as Brighton's all-time top goalscorer in the Premier League with 26 goals.[53]

2023–24 season

On 26 August 2023, Brighton's third match of the season, Groß scored his 27th Premier League goal for the Sussex side becoming the club's all-time top scorer in the league, but his goal was only a consolation during the match as Albion went on to lose 3–1 at home to West Ham United.[54] He scored Brighton's first ever away goal in Europe on 5 October, pegging it back to 2–1 in the eventual 2–2 draw at Marseille in the Europa League.[55] He was eventually among the top players with most chances created in the league, only behind Bruno Fernandes.[56]

Borussia Dortmund

On 1 August 2024, Groß joined Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, signing a contract until June 2026.[57]

International career

Groß has represented Germany at youth level for the under-18, under-19 and under-20 national teams.[4]

On 31 August 2023, Groß received his first call-up to the Germany senior national team by head coach Hansi Flick, for friendlies against Japan and France.[58] [59] He made his debut on 9 September, coming on as a 64th-minute substitute in the eventual 4–1 home loss against Japan[60] and went on to make his first start for Germany in a 3–1 friendly win over the United States on 14 October.[61]

Groß was named in Germany's squad for UEFA Euro 2024.[62] He scored his first international goal in a pre-tournament friendly against Greece on 7 June.[63] Only Richard Kress was older when scoring his first goal for Germany.[64]

Style of play

Groß can operate as a central midfielder, winger, attacking midfielder and right-back.[65] He is an accomplished set-piece taker, known for his accurate corner kicks and free kicks.[66]

Personal life

Groß's father Stephan was also a footballer who played for Karlsruher SC.[6]

Career statistics

Club

Club!rowspan="2"
SeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
TSG Hoffenheim2008–09Bundesliga400040
2009–10Bundesliga101020
Total50106!0
TSG Hoffenheim II2010–11Regionalliga Süd174174
Karlsruher SC II2010–11Regionalliga Süd3030
2011–12Regionalliga Süd8181
Total111111
Karlsruher SC2010–112. Bundesliga310031
2011–122. Bundesliga2221021253
Total2531021284
FC Ingolstadt2012–132. Bundesliga30210312
2013–142. Bundesliga29220312
2014–152. Bundesliga34710357
2015–16Bundesliga32110331
2016–17Bundesliga33520355
Total158177016517
FC Ingolstadt II2013–14Regionalliga Bayern1010
Brighton & Hove Albion2017–18Premier League3871000397
2018–19Premier League2531010273
2019–20Premier League2921010312
2020–21Premier League3433030403
2021–22Premier League2922020332
2022–23Premier League37951204410
2023–24Premier League364300081475
Total22830161908126132
Borussia Dortmund2024–25Bundesliga0010000010
Career total4455526190812149059

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Germany202340
202441
Total81

Germany score listed first, score column indicates score after each Groß goal[67]

Honours

FC Ingolstadt

2014–15

Individual

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed . Premier League . 1 September 2017 . 9 September 2017.
  2. Web site: Pascal Gross . worldfootball.net . 29 August 2010.
  3. Web site: Pascal Groß: Overview . Premier League . 4 September 2018.
  4. Web site: Pascal Groß Personenprofil :: DFB – Deutscher Fußball-Bund e.V.. datencenter.dfb.de.
  5. Web site: 13-Minuten-Hattrick von Dzeko. kicker.de. 2 May 2009. 3 May 2009.
  6. Web site: KSC verpflichtet zwei U20-Nationalspieler: Terrazzino und Groß wechseln in den Wildpark. KSC signs two U20 Internationals: Terrazzino and Groß are transferring to the Wildpark. de. 28 January 2011. 28 January 2011. Karlsruher SC. official website. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110131080343/http://www.ksc.de/aktuelles/anzeigen/news/ksc-verpflichtet-zwei-u20-nationalspieler-terrazzino-und-gross-wechseln-in-den-wildpark.html. 31 January 2011.
  7. Web site: VAVEL.com . 2021-07-02 . Pascal Groß: The midfield metronome that has Ingolstadt ticking towards the Bundesliga . 2022-03-14 . VAVEL . en.
  8. Web site: 2018-12-17 . Pascal Gross would be an ideal signing for Liverpool in January . 2022-03-14 . Media Referee . en-GB.
  9. News: Brighton sign Pascal Groß. Goal.com. 9 September 2017.
  10. News: Pascal Gross: Brighton & Hove Albion sign FC Ingolstadt 04 midfielder. 19 May 2017. BBC Sport. 19 May 2017.
  11. News: Brighton's under the radar signing Gross proving his worth. Pete. Hall. 22 September 2017. Reuters .
  12. News: Brighton Have Broken Their Transfer Record Yet Again. Josh . Lawless . Sport Bible . 7 August 2017.
  13. News: Brighton & Hove Albion 0–2 Manchester City. BBC Sport. 12 August 2017.
  14. News: Premier League ruft! Gross verlässt FCI. 19 May 2017. kicker Online. 19 May 2017. de.
  15. News: Brighton & Hove Albion 3–1 West Bromwich Albion. 10 September 2017. BBC Sport. 9 September 2017.
  16. News: AFC Bournemouth 2–1 Brighton & Hove Albion. BBC Sport. 15 September 2017.
  17. News: Premier League player of the month contender Pascal Gross urges Brighton and Hove Albion to be more confident. The Argus. 7 October 2017.
  18. News: Brighton & Hove Albion 1–1 Everton. BBC Sport. 15 October 2017.
  19. News: Brighton 2–2 Stoke. BBC Sport. 20 November 2017.
  20. News: Brighton & Hove Albion 1–0 Manchester United. 4 May 2018. BBC Sport. 17 May 2018. en-GB.
  21. Web site: Bargain buy Gross named Albion's Player of the Season. The Argus. 19 April 2018 . en. 17 May 2018.
  22. Web site: New deal for midfielder. Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.. 6 June 2018. 7 June 2018.
  23. News: Brighton 3–2 Man Utd: Brighton score three first-half goals to stun visitors - BBC Sport. BBC Sport . 17 August 2018 . 10 September 2019.
  24. News: Manchester United 2–1 Brighton: Sixth straight Premier League win for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - BBC Sport. BBC Sport . 18 January 2019 . 8 October 2019.
  25. News: Brighton 2–1 Derby: Seagulls reach FA Cup quarter-finals - BBC Sport. BBC Sport . 14 February 2019 . 8 October 2019.
  26. Web site: Gabriel Jesus heads Manchester City into their 14th FA Cup final. The Football Association. Dan. Barnes. 6 April 2019. 9 April 2019.
  27. News: Brighton v Newcastle live in the Premier League - Live - BBC Sport. BBC Sport . 26 April 2019 . 27 September 2019.
  28. Web site: Cardiff 2–3 Crystal Palace: Bluebirds relegated from Premier League after defeat – BBC Sport. BBC Sport. 4 May 2019. 10 September 2019.
  29. News: Brighton & Hove Albion 1–0 Manchester United. 4 May 2018. BBC Sport. 8 October 2019. en-GB.
  30. News: Graham Potter enjoys dream debut as Brighton batter sorry Watford . Nick . Szczepanik . The Daily Telegraph . London . 10 August 2019 . 11 August 2019.
  31. Web site: Brighton & Hove Albion 3–0 Tottenham Hotspur: Aaron Connolly scores twice in win over Spurs . BBC Sport . 5 October 2019 . 5 October 2019.
  32. News: Tottenham's Hugo Lloris ruled out until new year with dislocated elbow . Mark. Dobson. 7 October 2019 . The Guardian.
  33. News: Hugo Lloris: Tottenham captain to miss rest of 2019. BBC Sport . 7 October 2019.
  34. Web site: Brighton 3-2 Everton: Lucas Digne scores late own goal to hand win to Seagulls - BBC Sport. BBC Sport . 26 October 2019. 9 July 2020.
  35. Web site: Preston North End 0-2 Brighton & Hove Albion: Seagulls set up Man Utd tie – BBC Sport. BBC Sport . 23 September 2020. 23 September 2020.
  36. Web site: Brighton & Hove Albion 1–1 Liverpool: Pascal Gross denies Reds – BBC Sport . BBC Sport . 28 November 2020. 28 November 2020.
  37. News: Liverpool 0-1 Brighton & Hove Albion: Steven Alzate scores in shock win. BBC Sport . 3 February 2021. 3 February 2021.
  38. News: Brighton 3-2 Man City: Albion come back from two down to beat 10-man champions - BBC Sport. BBC Sport . 18 May 2021. 18 May 2021.
  39. Web site: Burnley 1-2 Brighton & Hove Albion: Substitute Alexis Mac Allister seals comeback win - BBC Sport . BBC Sport. 14 August 2021. 15 August 2021.
  40. Web site: Brighton & Hove Albion: 2-0 Watford: Brighton make best start to a top-flight campaign - BBC Sport . BBC Sport. 21 August 2021. 21 August 2021.
  41. Web site: Brighton 1-1 Crystal Palace: Late own goal gives Brighton deserved draw - BBC Sport . BBC Sport. 14 January 2022. 15 January 2022.
  42. News: Brighton 4-0 Manchester United: Big defeat ends United's Champions League hopes - BBC Sport. BBC Sport. 7 May 2022. 7 May 2022.
  43. News: Brighton 3-1 West Ham: David Moyes' side must settle for Europa Conference League. BBC Sport. 22 May 2022. 22 May 2022.
  44. News: Pascal Gross signs new contract. Brighton & Hove Albion. 3 June 2022. 3 June 2022.
  45. News: Stone. Simon. Manchester United 1-2 Brighton: Erik ten Hag suffers defeat in first Premier League game. BBC Sport. 7 August 2022. 7 August 2022.
  46. News: Brighton beat Leeds to set club record . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2022-08-29.
  47. Web site: Five-star Albion cruise into the fourth round. Brighton & Hove Albion. 7 January 2023. 7 January 2023.
  48. Web site: Super Solly sinks Palace as Albion March on. 15 March 2023. 15 March 2023. Brighton & Hove Albion. en-GB.
  49. Web site: Pascal Gross signs New Contract. 19 April 2023. 19 April 2023. Brighton & Hove Albion. en-GB.
  50. Web site: It's Wembley heartbreak as Albion are beaten on penalties. Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.. 23 April 2023. 24 April 2023.
  51. News: Albion felled by Forest. Brighton & Hove Albion. 26 April 2023. 26 April 2023.
  52. News: Back on track with six of the best. Brighton & Hove Albion. 29 April 2023. 29 April 2023.
  53. News: EUROPE HERE WE COME!. Brighton & Hove Albion. 21 May 2023. 21 May 2023.
  54. Web site: Record for Gross but Albion are beaten. Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. . 26 August 2023 . 26 August 2023.
  55. News: Pedro on the spot as Albion make their point. Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. . 5 October 2023. 5 October 2023.
  56. Web site: Most chances created by a player this season premier league . StatMuse . 16 May 2024 .
  57. Web site: Borussia Dortmund sign Pascal Groß . 1 August 2024 . 5 August 2024 . Borussia Dortmund . www.bvb.de.
  58. Web site: 31 August 2023 . Mit Groß und sechs Rückkehrern gegen Japan und Frankreich . With Groß and six returnees against Japan and France . 31 August 2023 . . de.
  59. Web site: Pascal Gross gets first Germany call-up. Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. . 31 August 2023 . 31 August 2023.
  60. Web site: 9 September 2023 . Germany 1-4 Japan: Hansi Flick under pressure after heavy defeat . 9 September 2023 . BBC Sport.
  61. News: U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM FALLS 3-1 AGAINST GERMANY IN INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY. US Soccer. October 14, 2023. 15 October 2023.
  62. Web site: UEFA Euro 2024: All squads and players full list. 7 June 2024. 7 June 2024. Olympics.com.
  63. Web site: Germany earn late 2-1 comeback win over Greece in final Euro 2024 warmup. 7 June 2024. 7 June 2024. Reuters.
  64. Web site: Groß zweitältester Debüt-Torschütze der DFB-Geschichte . 2024-06-09 . kicker . de-DE.
  65. News: Pascal Gross exclusive: 'Refs here don't give many fouls. It looks stupid when you lay on the ground for nothing'. https://web.archive.org/web/20200714190909/http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3A69D0rSvuiMYJ%3Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Ffootball%2F2017%2F09%2F28%2Fpascal-gross-exclusive-refs-dont-give-many-fouls-looks-stupid%2F&hl=en&gl=us&strip=1&vwsrc=0. live. 14 July 2020. The Telegraph. 29 September 2017 . 11 October 2021 . Hayward . Paul .
  66. Web site: Albion Analytics: Pascal Gross makes it 50 goal involvements. 2 November 2022. 7 June 2024. Brighton & Hove Albion.
  67. Web site: Pascal Groß . dfb.de . 7 June 2024.
  68. Web site: 7 June 2024 . Germany earn late 2–1 comeback win over Greece in final Euro 2024 warmup . 8 June 2024 . Reuters.
  69. Web site: Gross and Terland the main winners at our Player Awards .