Bayer Leverkusen will resume Bundesliga action against Borussia Monchengladbach, with new boss Kasper Hjulmand eager to steady his ship.
Two teams are heading into the weekend and face off against each other, with managerial changes being the common theme between them as Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Monchengladbach lock horns at BayArena on Sunday evening.
Starting with Bayer Leverkusen, new boss Kasper Hjulmand has a big task of steadying the ship over at BayArena, following a fractious summer of changes and errors in decision-making. Not only did Leverkusen lose a host of their key stars who were instrumental in the dominance over the past two years, but they also made a big error in appointing Erik ten Hag.
The Dutchman barely lasted two games, with the club choosing to replace him with Hjulmand. However, the Danish coach oversaw a 3-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in his first game in charge, while Bayer Leverkusen were part of an entertaining comeback draw against Copenhagen in the Champions League.
Now, the focus shifts towards the Bundesliga, where Hjulmand has a big task of steadying his ship as former champions Bayer Leverkusen welcome rivals Borussia Monchengladbach to BayArena.
Speaking of Borussia Monchengladbach, the Foals have also endured a period of change with the club choosing to part ways with manager Gerardo Seoane, with interim boss Eugen Polanski set to to take the reins for the time being.
The ideal objective would have been to improve on their tenth-place finish last season to gain a European spot ahead of next season, but after a disastrous start to the campaign, a change seemed necessary.
Gladbach are rooted to 16th spot after three rounds of fixtures, with only a point from the opening weekend’s goalless draw with newly promoted Hamburg to show so far. That result was the only positive one so far, as Monchengladbach narrlwoly lost out to Stuttgart and then were thrashed 4-0 Werder Bremen on home soil.
Hence, there’s an urgent need to get points on board, as Monchengladbach will hope they can steadily achieve that. However, they are facing a renewed Leverkusen side away from home, which will bring it’s own challenges in their quest to seek immediate change of fortunes.
Team News & Tactics
Bayer Leverkusen
Kasper Hjulmand will have to contend with as many as six missing Bayer Leverkusen stars ahead of this Bundesliga clash with Borussia Monchengladbach. Martin Terrier is nursing an achillies problem, while Jonas Hofmann has a thigh injury, which will keep the pair put of the clash.
Jeanuel Belocian is also out of contention, while the big issue for Hjulmand is to set up a competitive midfield with his key players absent. Exequiel Palacios has a groin issue, while Ezequiel Fernandez and Robert Andrich are suspended, with the pair starting in midweek against Copenhagen.
There are also concerns with Nathan Tella and whether he could recover from a minor knee issue suffered ahead of the midweek UEFA Champions League clash. Arthur is also a doubt with a problem, which makes it nearly eight players who could potentially miss out of the Borussia Monchengladbach clash.
Axel Tape, who attracted plenty of interest before Bayer Leverkusen signed him, could get a start in one of the midfield positions, with Aleix Garcia likely to partner him there. Malik Tillman and Claudio Echeverri will get the nod in the attacking roles, with Patrik Schick leading the line for Bayer Leverkusen against Borussia Monchengladbach.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Flekken; Quansah, Bade, Tapsoba; Vazquez, Garcia, Tape, Grimaldo; Tillman, Echeverri; Schick
Borussia Monchengladbach
Borussia Monchengladbach also have a few key stars missing against Bayer Leverkusen, with Eugen Polanski set to make some selection decisions ahead of this trip to Leverkusen. Key among those is winger Robin Hack, who missed training following a knock and remains in significant doubt for the trip to BayArena.
Skipper Tim Kleindienst is also out of the contest, while Nathan Ngoumou misses out with an achillies issue. The trio, barring Hack, is set to join Wael Mohya, who has a knee problem as well as Niklas Swider, who might sit out with an illness. Polanski might stick with a 4-2-3-1 shape, with Nico Elvedi and Kevin Diks holding the fort in central defence.
Philipp Sander and Rocco Reitz will feature in central midfield, with Giovanni Reyna reprising the attacking role further ahead. Shuto Machino will lead the line for Borussia Monchengladbach against Bayer Leverkusen, while Hack might be selected on the left wing if he turns up fit for this clash.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Nicolas; Scally, Elvedi, Diks, Ulrich; Sander, Reitz; Honorat, Reyna, Hack; Machino
Key Stats
- Bayer Leverkusen are undefeated in 32 of their last 35 matches in the Bundesliga.
- Bayer Leverkusen have won nine of their last 11 matches against Borussia Monchengladbach in all competitions.
- Borussia Monchengladbach have failed to score in their last five matches in the Bundesliga.
- Borussia Monchengladbach have taken only a single point from a possible nine this season in the Bundesliga.
Player to Watch
Axel Tape
The teenage midfielder might be thrust into the thick of the action following the absence of Leverkusen’s three key midfielders ahead of the Borussia Monchengladbach clash. There will be pressure on Tape to hold the midfield together, and his inexperience might either cost them or spring up a pleasant surprise in this game.
Having already got a taste of his first start against Werder Bremen, Tape must assume a big role ahead of Sunday to put in a top notch performance. Kasper Hjulmand will look to aid the teenager as much as possible, but it will be up to him to showcase that he can hold the fort when senior midfielders are absent, as this is a scenario that could be repeated again this season.
Prediction
Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 Borussia Monchengladbach
Borussia Monchengladbach are in a strange situation as things stand. While they are yet to register a win this term, the visitors have not managed to score a single goal in their three games so far. Hence, there will be pressure, but given the frailties Bayer Leverkusen have shown in their midfield and new-look defensive line, the away side can have some joy in finding the back of the net.
However, that does not make them favourites in this clash, as Bayer Leverkusen have shown plenty of signs in the previous two games under new boss Hjulmand that they are improving. The Danish manager will want a win to continue his decent start at the BayArena, as the former champions are expected to take three points, albeit with a narrow scoreline.
