Borussia Dortmund will aim to return to winning ways when they welcome Borussia Monchengladbach to the Signal Iduna Park on Saturday.
The Bundesliga resumes this week with Matchday 13 of the 2023/24 season, with champions Bayern Munich kicking things off on Friday. The action on Saturday will begin with five simultaneous fixtures, one of them pitting Borussia Dortmund against Borussia Monchengladbach at the Signal Iduna Park.
Borussia Dortmund began the 2023/24 season with an unbeaten streak in the Bundesliga. But that form is history after losing back-to-back league games ahead of the international break. One of those losses was the 4-0 chastening at the hands of Bayern Munich before going down 2-1 to VfB Stuttgart. Such a run has dropped Dortmund to fifth on the table, ten points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen.
As for Borussia Monchengladbach, the Foals have recovered from a slow start to the 2023/24 season with the recent three-game unbeaten run. Gerardo Seoane and his charges are finally showing some positive signs, with the results ahead of the international break helping Gladbach climb into the top half.
The corresponding fixture last season saw Borussia Dortmund cruise to a 5-2 win over Borussia Monchengladbach, with Ramy Bensebaini and Lars Stindl scoring the consolation goal for the Foals. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Borussia Dortmund
🎙️ Terzic
“We take the responsibility of our last Bundesliga games with us and want to show on Saturday against Gladbach that we can do better.” pic.twitter.com/ngtl708gbe
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) November 23, 2023
Edin Terzic does not have any new roster issues hampering his preparations ahead of this weekend. Against Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday, the Borussia Dortmund manager will be bereft of the services of three first-team players.
Felix Nmecha is the most notable absentee, with the youngster recovering from a hip injury. Meanwhile, Julien Duranville (thigh) remains on the sidelines, while Marcel Lotka is serving a suspension.
Gregor Kobel is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Borussia Dortmund lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him. The backline should feature Niklas Sule, Mats Hummels, Nico Schlotterbech, and Julian Ryerson, with the latter having the freedom to express himself in the final third.
As for the midfield unit, Salih Ozcan should accompany captain Emre Can in the double pivot. The duo will look to keep things tight in the middle of the park. Finally, Niclas Fullkrug will lead the line for Dortmund, with Marco Reus playing behind him. Donyell Malen and Julian Brandt will complete the supporting cast from the flanks.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Sule, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Ryerson; Ozcan, Can; Malen, Reus, Brandt; Fullkrug
Borussia Monchengladbach
Unlike his counterpart in the Borussia Dortmund dugout, Gerardo Seoane has a lengthy injury list ahead of the trip to Signal Iduna Park. The Borussia Monchengladbach manager will be without seven first-team players.
Captain Jonas Omlin is recovering from a shoulder injury and is one of the notable absentees. Meanwhile, Ko Itakura (ankle), Tony Jantschke (hamstring), Lukas Ullrich (shoulder), Stefan Lainer (illness), Hannes Wolf (knee), Yvandro Borges Sanches (thigh) remain on the sidelines. But Jordan is available again after recovering from a groin issue.
🎙️ Seoane: "Jordan and Tomáš Čvančara are different types of player. We'll need both on Saturday. We'll see in what order or set-up they'll play. We're really happy that Jordan's available again."#BVBBMG pic.twitter.com/WXazTDfPS5
— Gladbach (@borussia_en) November 23, 2023
Moritz Nicolas will deputise for Omlin between the sticks, with Borussia Monchengladbach lining up in a 3-5-2 formation in front of him. The central defensive partnership should feature Joe Scally, Nico Elvedi, and Maximilian Wober. Meanwhile, Franck Honorat and Luca Netz will be the wing-backs, with the duo having the freedom to express themselves in the final third.
As for the midfield unit, Rocco Reitz, Julian Weigl, and Manu Kone will form a defensive-minded trifecta. The trio will look to keep things tight in the middle of the park. Finally, Alassane Plea and Tomas Cvancara, the two top scorers for Gladbach this season, will be the two strikers on Saturday.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Nicolas; Scally, Elvedi, Wober; Honorat, Reitz, Weigl, Kone, Netz; Cvancara, Plea
Key Stats
- Borussia Dortmund have won 15 of their last 18 competitive matches against Borussia Monchengladbach (L3). Since the start of the 2015/16 season, the Black and Yellows have only won as many games against VfL Wolfsburg (15 of 17).
- Borussia Dortmund have already conceded six penalties this season, more than ever before at this stage of a campaign.
- Borussia Monchengladbach’s away games this season have produced more goals (28, 14 scored, 14 conceded) than any other Bundesliga team.
- Borussia Monchengladbach earned just two points from their first five Bundesliga games this term but have subsequently collected 11 of a possible 18 from their six most recent assignments.
- Niclas Fullkrug has scored three Bundesliga goals for Borussia Dortmund, all of which put BVB 1-0 up.
Player to Watch
Marco Reus
The long-standing common link between Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Monchengladbach takes this spot this week. Marco Reus is enjoying a late surge in form as his career winds down, with relinquishing the captaincy being the perfect decision.
The former Gladbach attacker has been an extraordinary performer for Borussia Dortmund for over a decade. But while his teammates have blown hot and cold, the 34-year-old has been a consistent performer for the Black and Yellows. So, the onus will be on the veteran playmaker to curb the winless run in the Bundesliga and deliver the goods for the home side.
Prediction
Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Borussia Monchengladbach
Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Monchengladbach are on a contrasting run of form. While the hosts have failed to win their last three games, the visitors have not lost a league match in a similar period. So, Saturday’s fixture should be a closely contested affair.
But the Black and Yellows often tend to step up and deliver the goods when their backs are against the wall. So, while Borussia Monchengladbach will give the hosts a run for their money, Edin Terzic’s men should eke out a narrow win. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 victory for the home side.
