'Can expect an exciting and attractive game'

"You have to remember if we win then we'll have  a nine-point lead over Mönchengladbach with eight games  to play – and that against one of our main competitors for a top spot. That would be an incredible achievement for us," said the Bayer 04 head coach at the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon. "And we'll do all we can to make that happen," said Herrlich, who is expecting a tough game: "Even though Mönchengladbach – in terms of results – had a long run of poor results, I still believe they are as good as us. That has been shown in the two previous games this season."

WE NEED to restrict Gladbach's chances

Gladbach have only picked up seven points in the last eight games after the winter break and have dropped down to eighth in the table. But that is no reason for Herrlich to underestimate his opponents. Herrlich believes the individual players have quality in the way Dieter Hecking's team plays: "In the game against Borussia Dortmund (0-1 on matchday 23) they had an incredible number of chances that they were unable to convert. However, Mönchengladbach did create a lot of chances. I believe when a team creates a lot of chances that they will score at some point." In order to prevent that happening tomorrow the 46-year-old has sounded a warning to his players: "We have to defend in a way that prevents them having chances to score."

Herrlich is looking for 90 minutes of concentration from his team. The mistakes in the last two games against Schalke (0-2) and Wolfsburg (2-1) should be a lesson to his players. "We were under tremendous pressure  to win ahead of the game against Wolfsburg. That's why the win was a good response. But after going 2-0 down against Schalke we were too casual in defence. We need to make sure we work hard enough tomorrow," said Herrlich before  adding: "That might have worked against Wolfsburg but it will be much more difficult against Mönchengladbach."  

ONLY Tin Jedvaj on the sidelines

There is no lack of excitement and anticipation ahead of the game against his former club. "Both Mönchengladbach and us are trying to find answers on the pitch in terms of creating chances. We can expect an exciting and attractive game tomorrow," said Herrlich, who is keen to see a win for his team after two defeats at the BayArena.

Herrlich will have to manage without defender Tin Jedvaj tomorrow after he picked up a thigh injury in training on Tuesday morning. "We could have risked playing him if it was essential. But we didn't want to take that risk and he should be fit again next week." Otherwise, the Werkself players are all available – including Panos Retsos and Dominik Kohr after suspension.