Borussia Mönchengladbach have scored an amazing 35 points against Bayern Munich since 2011 – a league record by far. In the past five competitive games, the Foals have not lost once against the record champions and cup winners.
But before the duel on Saturday evening (September 2nd, 2023, live on the radio report and in the ticker on the sports show), the foals are becoming increasingly worried.
On Wednesday, Gerardo Seoane excluded the public from his training session. In contrast to the previous day, the collective defensive behavior was on the agenda: Who runs when and how high at the opponent, who protects and, above all: How are passes to the opposing center forward prevented?
Of the numerous problems Borussia had against Bayer Leverkusen last Saturday, that was by far the biggest: Central striker Boniface alone had eleven shots on goal in the easy 3-0 win for the Werkself – from Gladbach’s point of view, that must not happen again against Harry Kane .
Borussia: Seoane trains to isolate Bayern’s Kane
According to the ideas of tactical inventor Seoane, Kane should be cut off as best as possible by the supplier services – both from Bayern’s central midfield and via their flanks. That should work against Leverkusen at Boniface using a chain of five and the two advancing sixes Julian Weigl and Florian Neuhaus. But that went completely wrong, as Seoane now openly admitted.
Bayern’s Kane in the game against Werder Bremen
But the problems of Gladbach are not only on the defensive. Tomas Cvancara is on his own on offense because Alassane Plea is once again in a slump. But Seoane wants to patiently get him used to the new system with significantly less ball possession and more running work.
Gladbach brings in Siebatcheu to relieve Cvancara
Cvancara may already be relieving Jordan Siebatcheu on Saturday. The attacker from Union Berlin trained on Thursday morning with the permission of the Irons in Borussia Park, after which the final contract terms were fixed. Seoane still knows Jordan well from the Young Boys Bern, appreciates his physique and final strength, the American with French roots comes initially on loan, Gladbach has a purchase option.
There is still movement in the squad at Bayern, Thomas Tuchel is not completely satisfied with his current line-up despite the two wins in the opening game. He still wants a “Holding Six”, i.e. a six that doesn’t constantly think and run ahead, but sees protection as his main task and repairs mistakes made by the people next to him.
Pavard to Inter, Goretzka frustrated
FC Bayern also wants to play again in defense after Benjamin Pavard was sold to Inter Milan and his previous backup Josip Stanisic was loaned to Leverkusen.
There was also a bitter mood dampener on Thursday morning when national coach Hansi Flick announced his squad for the next two international matches. Surprisingly, Leon Goretzka was not there, even though he won the duel with Leipzig signing Konrad Laimer in the first two games and was in the starting XI.
Goretzka was very clear about this disappointment on social networks: “You know how proud it makes me to play for Germany. I’m extremely disappointed with the surprising decision not to play in September.” It is very possible that Gladbach will feel the frustration of the current ex-national player on Saturday.