Our series of 2015-16 domestic progress reports continues with an examination of a Gladbach side that is now finding form after a stormy start to the season.
What has Gone Right?
Simply put, matchday six onwards. Going winless in five showings, since Andre Schubert took over the Foals are undefeated, sit in sixth place on the ladder and only are one point out of the European slots. A change in game style has seen the squad closing down opponents more at the back, conceding far fewer goals than in the early stages.
Schubert’s more attacking brand of football has Gladbach scoring more effectively and creating more chances than in the early games, recent wins over European competitors Wolfsburg and Schalke proving to be huge confidence boosters.
What has Gone Wrong?
For the new coach to come in, Lucien Favre sadly had to go. A fan favourite who had helped turn the club around, Favre looked on as his charges fell to five-straight league losses. After the fifth in mid-September, he decided it was the right time to call an end to his reign. Despite the club’s pleas not to, the Swiss stepped down in what he saw as the best option to progress forward, allowing Schubert to take over.
Aside from the poor start to the season, it has been a disappointing campaign for €10 million striker Josip Drmic, who was purchased in the summer. He has played less than 250 minutes of league football, and is yet to score a goal for the club since his move from Bayer Leverkusen. With Raffael and Lars Stindl doing the job as a dup up front, it is tough to see Drmic cracking the starting XI as it stands.
Best Player So Far – Raffael
The Brazilian forward has been in imperious form all season long, and with five goals and six assists in the league, has led the line with aplomb. Raffael has played all but 62 minutes of Gladbach’s league campaign, second only to fullback Oscar Wendt and his combination play with Lars Stindl is helping to create a dangerous forward partnership as the weeks go on.
With the 30-year-old carrying the side’s goals, captain Granit Xhaka is still one of the most important players in the side. His marshaling of the central areas, combined with his commanding presence has helped to steady the Foals during tougher times. However, his temperament is still a problem, exhibited on the weekend in the draw with Ingolstadt, The midfielder’s skills are only useful if he stays on the field.
What is Next?
Key Bundesliga fixtures against Leverkusen and Bayern Munich follow the international break by a few weeks, as well as a next up Champions League clash with Sevilla. Although Die Fohlen look very unlikely to progress from their group, a win over the Spanish side would put them in a good spot for third in the group and a change to the Europa League knockouts.
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Continuing to push strongly in the league, Gladbach sit only two points out of last season’s third place finish, and will look to continue that form up until the Winter Break.
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