Our next opponents: ‘The top priority is and remains staying up’

Position

The Foals started the new year with a great deal of momentum and energy, showing top form and being clinical in their 4-0 opening win against FC Augsburg. But just three days later, they suffered a severe setback at TSG Hoffenheim and were left without a chance in a 5-1 defeat in Sinsheim. The constant ups and downs have characterised Borussia's campaign so far. A disappointing start to the season was followed by a strong phase in the autumn with four wins in a row, before things got worse again in terms of results towards the end of the year - including a DFB Pokal exit at FC St. Pauli. Gladbach have picked up just two points from their last four games. They drew in Hamburg (0-0) and most recently in Bremen (1-1), and lost 3-0 at home to VfB Stuttgart.

Even though Werder Bremen only equalised in added time last weekend and coach Eugen Polanski's team came within a whisker of a win, the draw was a fair result in the end. Gladbach's goalscorer Haris Tabakovic gave the visitors the lead after an uneventful first half. The goal was preceded by a beautiful move between Rocco Reitz and Franck Honorat, who set up the opener for Borussia with his fifth assist. "All in all, sharing the points was fair. But when you lead up to the last minute, you naturally want to take the three points," said Polanski. It would have been an important three points in the six-pointer against Werder, who are only two points behind Borussia in the table. They, in turn, in twelfth place were only three points above the play-off spot ahead of matchday 21. Before matchday 19 the gap was seven points.

Mönchengladbach's Head of Sport Rouven Schröder knows: "The situation will remain challenging in the coming weeks. The primary goal is and remains to stay up. That's exactly why it's important to stay calm, take clear action and gradually build up more stability again. Defensively, we can build on our recent performances. In terms of football, we definitely need to improve in order to generate more chances and, of course, score more goals in the end." The next chance to do so comes on Saturday at home to the Werkself. In the first half of the season, the Foals proved to be a tricky opponent when Eugen Polanski made his debut in the dugout. Thanks to a last-minute goal from Haris Tabakovic, Gladbach drew 1-1 at the BayArena in an open, intense encounter.

Personnel

Borussia Mönchengladbach announced the signing of Sweden international Hugo Bolin on deadline day. The 22-year-old midfielder joined on loan from Malmö FF. Sporting director Schröder sees Bolin as an "interesting, creative, skilled player with great prospects who will increase our options in attack". Bolin can play on either the left or right side of midfield. He is Borussia's fourth winter signing after centre-back Kota Takai (Tottenham Hotspur), reserve goalkeeper Jan Olschowsky (returning after a loan spell at Alemannia Aachen) and striker Alejo Sarco, who is on loan from Bayer 04.

However, left-back Luca Netz (Nottingham Forest) and attacking players Charles Herrmann (Cercle Brugge), Grant-Leon Ranos (on loan to Eintracht Braunschweig) and Kilian Sauck (Fortuna Düsseldorf) left the club in the last transfer window. Due to injury, Eugen Polanski will be without striker Tim Kleindienst (rehab after knee surgery), wingers Robin Hack (knee problems) and Nathan Ngoumou (back in training) as well as midfielder Giovanni Reyna (muscular problems) on Saturday. Centre-back Kevin Diks, on the other hand, is available again. The Indonesian suffered a head injury in the 0-0 draw in Hamburg and had to miss the matches against Stuttgart and Werder Bremen. Diks is expected to make his comeback against the Werkself. The 29-year-old immediately became a regular starter in defence after his move from FC Copenhagen last summer and is Gladbach's most prolific scorer from the spot, having converted three penalties.

Problems

Borussia have failed to score in nine of their 20 Bundesliga matches - that is more than any other team. In attack, almost everything depends on Haris Tabakovic, who has scored almost half of Gladbach's 22 goals (plus two own goals from the opposition). Of course, Tim Kleindienst will be sorely missed. The absence of Robin Hack also means there is a lack of penetration up front. However, other attacking players who are not injured, such as Franck Honorat, Rocco Reitz and Kevin Stöger, who netted nine times between them last season but have yet to score in the current campaign, are also lacking in goals. Summer signing Giovanni Reyna has also failed to score in 13 appearances so far. "We have to be more focused and determined up front again," demanded Reitz after the 1-1 draw in Bremen.

And something else stands out: When the Foals have gone behind this season, they have almost always ended up losing. Only once did they pick up a point afterwards - in a 1-1 draw in Leverkusen. "We allowed ourselves to drop off very quickly," criticised coach Eugen Polanski, citing the 3-0 defeat against VfB Stuttgart as an example. "That doesn't suit the Bundesliga. We finally had a good opening phase against VfB and then lost our way." Showing the right attitude again, including in body language, is a demand from the Foals coach. "That's the biggest issue we have." There was progress in this respect in the game in Bremen. Gladbach also still have room for improvement in terms of strength at home. The hosts have won just two of their ten games at Borussia Park, picking up a total of just nine points. Only FC Heidenheim have an even weaker record at home due to their poorer goal difference.

Performers

Haris Tabakovic, signed on loan from TSG Hoffenheim last summer, has immediately proved his worth as a centre-forward replacement for the long-term injured Tim Kleindienst. Tabakovic scored the first goal of the season for the Foals in the 1-1 draw in Leverkusen on matchday 4 and he also netted last weekend in Bremen. With a total of ten goals, he is third-highest goalscorer behind Harry Kane (22) and Deniz Undav (11) together with Luis Diaz and Michael Olise and, thanks to two assists, in fifth place amongst the scorers and providers. The Bosnian would be in an even better position had he not already missed two penalties. Franck Honorat is the best provider in the team with five assists. The fact Borussia have kept a clean sheet eight times so far and thus occupy third place in the league-wide ranking is due not least to goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas. The 28-year-old has been awarded the highest number of points amongst Gladbach players by kicker. Nicolas is also highly rated by his own supporters: In January, he was voted player of the month for the second time this season by Foals fans.