After initial problems, Haris Tabakovic has found himself in top form in Gladbach and is scoring on the assembly line. Nevertheless, he will soon be threatened with the substitute bench again – because the captain is returning.
At Borussia the good news just doesn’t stop there. Most recently, before the derby against Cologne, Tim Kleindienst’s contract was extended early, then his arch-rival was defeated, and now Eugen Polanski has also been given a head coach contract until 2028, as expected. After three competitive game wins in a row, Gladbach has climbed from last to twelfth place in the table and is in the cup round of 16 before the home game against St. Pauli.
Seven goals and two assists from Tabakovic
Tabakovic has made a significant contribution to this upswing. The loan striker from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim was signed by ex-sports director Roland Virkus shortly before the end of the transfer window because captain Kleindienst’s return after a knee injury, including surgery and long rehabilitation, was not foreseeable. When Tabakovic didn’t score in the first two games against Hamburg (0-0) and in Bremen (0-4), harsh criticism quickly emerged: “TabakoNIX” was what it said in the fan forums, and Virkus was dismissed as a supposed transfer flop.
Many of today’s critics probably don’t want to be reminded of that. Since the fourth day of the game in Leverkusen, when Tabakovic headed the late equalizer in the first game under Polanski and thus initiated a change in the mood in Gladbach, things have been almost perfect for the 1.96 giant: He has now scored seven competitive goals and two assists, the fans are celebrating him, he himself says: “I’ve arrived, the coordination with my teammates is getting better from game to game. It’s a lot of fun here.” However, it is quite possible that this fun will soon be somewhat restricted or at least no longer only take place on the lawn.
Short service before returning to the squad
According to Sportschau information, Kleindienst will return to the game in Heidenheim on Saturday (3:30 p.m./live ticker at sportschau.de), and if the national player has even halfway caught up again, he will be in the starting line-up. Polanski said on Thursday: “Tim is a special case for us with his personality. He is the captain, his word has weight, and not just because he has a very loud voice. He simply has extremely great added value for the team.”
It is almost impossible for Kleindienst to be in the starting line-up with Tabakovic in Polanski’s system. Both (shock) strikers are too similar. At most, in situations where the crowbar is necessary, they are not competitors, but colleagues. But they like each other.
“I wish Haris 40 goals this season”
Tabakovic says: “I’m happy for Tim when he’s back soon, he’s incredibly important for us. But I don’t feel like he’s his placeholder, we’ll see what the coach decides. I’m a guy who tries to work hard in every training session and in every game and give everything for the team.” That sounds a bit like something out of the primer for well-educated Bundesliga professionals, but the Swiss-born Bosnian has really lived it that way in Gladbach so far.
Kleindienst also has nothing but praise for Tabakovic: “I’m really happy that things are going so well for Haris, I also get on really well with him personally. I would like to wish him 40 goals, and he also has a good spirit in the dressing room that helps the team.”
Tim Kleindienst in running training
Manager Schröder sees added value in Tabakovic
Manager Rouven Schröder sees Tabakovic’s current gala form as a big advantage in terms of Kleindienst: “So Tim doesn’t have to stress about having to save the world after his comeback. He can take one step at a time, after all, he was missing for half a year.” It has long been conceivable that Tabakovic will stay in Gladbach beyond the season – Schröder will seek talks with Hoffenheim at the beginning of next year.
Summary of the game between 1. FC Heidenheim and Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday from 6 p.m. on the ARD Sportschau