As Andre Schubert and Borussia Monchengladbach head into their penultimate Champions League match against Sevilla, the prospect of a spot in the Europa League knockout stage awaits with a victory at Borussia Park.
With the draw against Juventus in their last European outing all but ending their hopes of Champions League progression, a win against the Spaniards would leave Gladbach in third, a position whose holder then enters the Europa League knockouts.
Doing that would not only move the side towards more European football, but would also put their treacherous start to the season even further behind and avenge the 3-0 defeat they were handed in the reverse fixture in Spain. On that occasion, an inexplicable capitulation from the German side shortly after half time saw them give away three second half penalties, one of which was missed, and all sense of discipline was lost through an intrepid 45 minutes.
That loss was one of the final matches that former manager Lucien Favre oversaw before stepping down, but the new direction that Schubert has taken the side since his appointment will give all involved a renewed sense of ‘can-do’ heading into this clash. Gladbach’s atrocious record of giving away penalties has steadily diminished and is no longer a regular talking point, while consistent partnerships in defence and midfield have helped to form a cohesive, driven football unit.
One of the main cogs in that unit is in-form winger Ibrahima Traore, who has seen himself progress to a regular starting role after some solid performances and the horror injury sustained by teammate Andre Hahn. The Guinean speedster scored in his side’s most recent league win, a 2-1 defeat of Hannover this past weekend, and spoke afterwards about the importance of the upcoming tie.
“Of foremost importance is that we win the Champions League match against Sevilla and not to dwell on thoughts of [qualifying for] the Champions League next year,” he told Bundesliga.com.
“We have a lot of self-belief at the moment. While Sevilla aren’t performing that well in the league. We’re at home and will give everything to win. We’ve shown that we have European pedigree. A win is crucial to secure Europa League Football.”
The confidence of Traore is something that appears to be echoed by the rest of the side, with Die Folhen playing with renewed swagger and confidence in the midst of this extraordinary league run.
This penultimate tie will also bring the club into the beginning of a potentially treacherous period, as league clashes with Hoffenheim, Bayern Munich and Bery Leverkusen all follow in the coming weeks as well as a final European tie at Manchester City.
To feature in the top six of the league at the winter break and maybe even a Europa League spot would be considered more than a success following the start this side endured. Under supermanager Schubert, it is more realistic than not.
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