BVB v. Gladbach [R]

[footyfan1]

The two Borussias also meet on Saturday with Dortmund hosting surprise-package Monchengladbach, who can cement their place in the top five by extending their unbeaten run to six games.

Horst Koppel's side were beaten by Berlin in the cup midweek, but are currently untouchable in the Bundesliga with a 4-1 thrashing of Kaiserslautern last weekend confirming the turnaround the new coach has made to the perennial strugglers.


Dortmund drew 1-1 with top fliers Hamburger SV last weekend. Dortmund remains undefeated in all matches without Czech striker Jan Koller.

[aloisius]

Looking at the teams I’d be very surprised to see gladbach finish ahead of bvb .

Add to that the problems at leverkusen and stutgart and you really should be able to get 6. place at the end. There’s also a pretty high probability that both cup finalists are from the top 5 which would put you in the uefa cup. I’m sure bvb fans would hate another intertoto berth after what happened in last two seasons.

[footyfan1]

Looking at the teams I’d be very surprised to see gladbach finish ahead of bvb .

Add to that the problems at leverkusen and stutgart and you really should be able to get 6. place at the end. There’s also a pretty high probability that both cup finalists are from the top 5 which would put you in the uefa cup. I’m sure bvb fans would hate another intertoto berth after what happened in last two seasons.


BVB will win nothing until the team gets some attitude. BVB's problem is that the team seems to play not to "hurt" anyone's feelings. They push hard, get a goal and "back off". They might try to score again, but not with the intensity they go after that first goal with.

As I said in the "BVB v HSV" thread, this BVB team seriously lacks killer instinct. It's been our problem since Amoroso stopped playing regularly for us. This BVB team doesn't know how to put their foot on an opponent's throat when they have that opponent down. They are content to try to win matches 1-0 or 2-1 and it always comes back to haunt us.

Until this team finds a "ruthlessness streak", we will never win anything.

[gunner_21]

From last season:

August 14, 2004: B. Monchengladbach 2, BVB 3
January 29, 2005: BVB 1, B. Monchengladbach 1

So a win away and a draw at home.

Weidenfeller and Keller are both playing outstanding in goal. Who can finish their chances?

[aloisius]

Well I’m not talking about winning but about finishing 6. or even 5.

I think this team is capable of that.

I quite like the move of kringe to rb. This will make sahin a permanent starter.

[footyfan1]

Well I’m not talking about winning but about finishing 6. or even 5.

For us, right now, that's "winning".......



I think this team is capable of that.

I think so too. If they find some attitude. Right now, they play as if they are afraid to win.



I quite like the move of kringe to rb. This will make sahin a permanent starter.

It's a temporary move until Degen can play again. After that Degen will go back to RB and Kringe will return to the midfield.

However, don't be surprised to see Sahin push Buckley out of the lineup. Buying Buckley is beginning to look like a huge mistake.........

[aloisius]

However, don't be surprised to see Sahin push Buckley out of the lineup. Buying Buckley is beginning to look like a huge mistake.........
Don’t think sahin can play on the wing..


It’s between ricken, odonkor and bucley for those two positions.

If sahin does well he’ll keep his place and it will be between kringe and degen for the rb spot.

[jonam]

Don’t think sahin can play on the wing..


It’s between ricken, odonkor and bucley for those two positions.

If sahin does well he’ll keep his place and it will be between kringe and degen for the rb spot.


Degen will be available on Saturday but might be on the bench as Kringe seems to start as RB. Maybe both will be on the pitch if BvM switches from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2. That would probably leave Buckley on the bench.

[gunner_21]

Pre-match report from BVB:

Metzelder could miss out with back injury...............as if we needed any further defensive problems.

http://www.borussia-dortmund.com/?%E7%86%9C%2Ah%97%84%EC%5Dj%E5%82%9B

[Achtung]

Match will be on Fox Soccer Channel in the US.

Looking forward to hopefully seeing some of Sahin.

[gunner_21]

Match will be on Fox Soccer Channel in the US.

Looking forward to hopefully seeing some of Sahin.

Yes, I've yet to see BVB in action. I'll have to stay away from the computer because of the damn 30 min. tape delay!

[gunner_21]

Someone fill me in. Is Ricken carrying a knock? Why can't he play a full 90?

[Achtung]

Yes, I've yet to see BVB in action. I'll have to stay away from the computer because of the damn 30 min. tape delay!

Won't you be watching the preceding Spurs-Arsenal game? ;)

[gunner_21]

Won't you be watching the preceding Spurs-Arsenal game? ;)

Is it on FSC as the EPL's early Saturday match? Awesome. Guess I'll be out of bed and on the edge of my seat by 8 am. :p ;)

[footyfan1]

Someone fill me in. Is Ricken carrying a knock? Why can't he play a full 90?


Because he's been in his usual form. Horrible.

But not as horrible as Buckley's form.......

[footyfan1]

Degen will be available on Saturday but might be on the bench as Kringe seems to start as RB. Maybe both will be on the pitch if BvM switches from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2. That would probably leave Buckley on the bench.


Yeah. I see I was wrong when I said Kringe would move back to midfield when Degen is healthy.

BvM is thinking of benching Degen's sorry ass AND I AGREE WITH THAT!!!

Perhaps Rosicky on the wing and Sahin in midfield?? Maybe not.

[Achtung]

Yeah. I see I was wrong when I said Kringe would move back to midfield when Degen is healthy.

BvM is thinking of benching Degen's sorry ass AND I AGREE WITH THAT!!!

Perhaps Rosicky on the wing and Sahin in midfield?? Maybe not.

So do you see Odonkor on the wing then? He's looked good there when I've seen him at least.

[footyfan1]

So do you see Odonkor on the wing then? He's looked good there when I've seen him at least.


Odonkor is improving weekly. Yes, his position is set.

With Odonkor, you are seeing the difference between Matthias Sammer and Bert van Marwijk.

Under Sammer, these young kids weren't being taught anything and were failing. Odonkor was one of them. We were close to getting rid of him. Just weeks ago, I still thought Odonkor was nothing but speed.

Now, under BvM, he's learning and improving. Watch him. You can see him improvement just over this season so far.

[footyfan1]

DORTMUND'S WALKING WOUNDED


http://www.bvb.de/images/nextmatch/dortmund-Borussia%20Moenchengladbach_140x160.gif



Borussia Dortmund may have had a rest this week since they have already been eliminated from the DFB-Pokal but none of their injured players are able to return for Saturday's visit of Borussia Monchengladbach.





The situation has gotten worse, in fact.





Germany international Christoph Metzelder picked up a dead leg in training and is a doubt for the clash at the Westfalen Stadium with Markus Brzenska on standby.





And coach Bert van Marwijk admits it's not going to be easy against one of the in-form sides in the Bundesliga.





"Monchengladbach are having a very good season," he said.





"They are settled into a rhythm and are a very dangerous team."





But the Dortmund crowd will want goals, not only for league points, but for a discount in the club shop.





The club announced a new discount scheme this week that will give fans a 5% discount on club merchandise for every goal Borussia score should they win on Saturday.





After making his return to the Dortmund team last weekend, 17-year-old Nuri Sahin is expected to make his fourth appearance on Saturday as Van Marwijk keeps his faith with the side that held Hamburg last week - their fourth straight draw.





Monchengladbach have been the surprise package of this season with Horst Koppel leading the Foals to fifth in the table after 10 games, unchartered territory for a side used to a perennial battle against relegation.





Gladbach have got where they are by scoring goals and entertaining the fans with Werder Bremen just one of the sides on the receiving end of a rejuvenated Borussia side.





They will be looking to extend their unbeaten league run to six games and consolidate their league position, although the weaknesses in Koppel's side were revealed in a 3-0 defeat to Hertha Berlin in the DFB-Pokal on Wednesday.

[david29]

Well, well, well. After more than a month of trying it seems we've finally killed off a team in the final minutes. 2-0 with only injury time to play...