Our next opponents: Good with corners and headers

Position

After the 3-1 victory over VfB Stuttgart at the start of the year, Borussia were hoping for a win against FC Augsburg in the next home game. But the team from Augsburg brought the hosts back down to earth as they picked up an away win. The reasons for the Foals not building on the previous strength at home were obvious to the coach Gerardo Seoane: "We made too many mistakes in possession, had a lot of technical errors, misplaced passes, overhasty actions. We didn't press the ball and we lacked strength in challenges." His team did take the lead on the half-hour mark with a goal from Jordan. But Augsburg turned the game around within four minutes in the second half to inflict the first defeat on Mönchengladbach after a run of eight games at home without losing. Goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas, one of the best players for the hosts, was annoyed: "We were a bit indecisive in actions. On top of that, we lost the ball too often and that shouldn't happen to us."

It all looked completely different in the previous week. The Foals proved to be an extremely efficient team in the 3-1 win against Stuttgart with an early brace from Robin Hack (1', 19') backed up by a very solid defence. Although the Seoane team only had 28% possession, the win against Swabian side was richly deserved with Jordan rounding off the scoring in added time. Borussia are currently treading water in the league in twelfth place. However, they have high hopes in the DFB-Pokal. After wins against Oberliga outfit TuS Bersenbrück (7-0) plus league rivals FC Heidenheim 1846 (2-1) and VfL Wolfsburg (1-0 a.e.t.) Gladbach are away to third tier FC Saarbrücken in the quarter-finals.

Personnel

There was huge excitement at Borussia Park when Seoane brought on Stefan Lainer last weekend for the first time this season. The Austrian was diagnosed with lymph node cancer in the summer of 2023 that sidelined him for months. The 32-year-old defender played for 20 minutes against Augsburg. Lainer said his first appearance since May of last year was "the most emotional game of my career." "We are extremely happy for Stevie, he is an example to us all has a battler," said the coach. Lainer should get time on the pitch in Leverkusen as well.

The captain Julian Weigl, who was suspended for the game against Augsburg, will return to his usual position in central midfield at the BayArena on Saturday. Seoane will have to manage without Ko Itakura. The defender is currently playing for Japan in the Asia Cup. And striker Thomas Cvancara is ruled out for the game in Leverkusen due to an ankle injury. And Saturday's fixture could be tight for midfielder Rocco Reitz. The 20-year-old went off injured at half-time in the game against Augsburg with a groin problem. "He's a doubt for the weekend," said Seoane. Defender Max Wöber is definitely unavailable due to illness. Striker Alessane Plea dropped out of training on Wednesday with a bruised foot. And it remains to be seen if he can return on Saturday.

The 19-year-old Japanese player Shio Fukuda, who plays up front for the Gladbach U23 team, has moved up to the senior squad. The Austrian Hannes Wolf has left Borussia. The midfielder did not play this season and has now joined New York City FC in the MLS. Striker Yvandro Borges Sanches has gone out on loan to Dutch side NEC Nijmegen.

Performers

Borussia, currently twelfth in the Bundesliga, have the sixth best attack in the league with 35 attempts on goal. The most prolific striker is Alassane Plea. The Frenchman has scored seven goals and provided five assists. But Plea has not found the back of the net in the last four games. The best provider in the team is Plea's fellow countryman Frank Honorat with eight assists. Gladbach have had 14 different goalscorers this term and that is highest number in the Bundesliga alongside RB Leipzig. The Foals are particularly dangerous from set pieces: They are second with 14 behind the Werkself (15). It's the other way round with goals from corners. Borussia with ten are one ahead of Bayer 04 (9). Borussia Mönchengladbach are particularly strong in the air: Their eight headed goals are the second highest after Bayern Munich. (11).

Problems

With 38 goals conceded, Borussia have the second weakest defence in the league after SV Darmstadt 98 (46) and they have conceded the most shots in the league (304). "In games where we haven't done much we have conceded too many goals," bemoaned Seoane. During the winter break, the coach worked with his players on better defending in training. They have found it very difficult defending set pieces and have already let in twelve goals from dead balls with only FC Augsburg and FC Heidenheim letting in one more goal from set plays. It is striking that Borussia have mainly conceded in the second half (21) and particularly in the final 15 minutes (9).

The Foals have been behind in 13 of 18 games this season. And they have never come back to win. They did secure five draws. Only Augsburg have been behind once more but they did pick up 15 points. Borussia were also in the lead in 13 games but ended up dropping 20 points. That is the worst return of all teams in the Bundesliga.

Prediction

Looking forward to the game at the BayArena, BMG keeper Moritz Nicolas made a statement of intent: "We have to be in better shape in the opening stages than we were against Augsburg. We have to defend better, put the requisite effort into the game and keep hold of the ball longer." The opening stage of the game was crucial in the Hinrunde match against the Werkself. Victor Boniface opened the scoring for Bayer 04 (18') and doubled his tally on 53 minutes to seal the win at 3-0. It is no surprise that the Foals, with one of the youngest teams in the league this season, have lacked consistency this term. Borussia have yet to clock up two wins in succession this term. They now have difficult games coming up with the clash with league leaders Bayer 04 followed by away games in Munich and Leipzig two weeks later. Sporting director Nils Schmadtke does not believe they will struggle this season: "If we'd have won against Augsburg then people would have been talking about a European finish. We will pick up our points and have nothing to do with relegation."