© Imago Images
Both sides come into this fixture having appointed new managers over the summer. Whilst ‘Gladbach appointed Marco Rose, from Red Bull Salzburg, Leipzig themselves waited an entire season to get their man, with an agreement in place since the start of the 18/19 season for Julian Nagelsmenn to move from Bundeslifa rivals Hoffenheim.
Leipzig have opened their campaign with two wins from as many games, a comfortable opening win against newboys Union Berlin was followed by a tougher 2-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.
Gladbach remain unbeaten on four points, having opened the campaign in a goalless draw with Schalke before a commanding 3-1 win at Mainz.
Captain Lars Stindl will be missing for Marco Rose, so it is expected he will field the same side who ran out winners against Mainz.
Nagelsmann welcomes the return of Dayot Upamecano from injury, but the defender has not returned to full training so will be unavailable for at least this fixture as he gets back to full fitness.
“We’re up against a side with a lot of power, individual quality and pace. We’re well prepared though and our aim is to win,” Rose said, as quoted by Gladbach.
“I hope that we can release the handbrake against Leipzig so to speak. The lads want to execute our gameplan, but they’re still overthinking certain aspects. Creativity and courage suffers as a result sometimes.”
“I think very highly of Gladbach’s coach, Marco Rose. He did a great job at Salzburg and I’m looking forward to meeting him face-to-face on Friday. We are both new at our clubs – so we have something in common there already,” Nagelsmann said at a press conference.
“I assume that his team will be very aggressive when we have the ball and will go into a lot of tackles. I get the impression that Marco Rose likes to let his boys play football.”
Borussia Monchengladbach; Sommer; Lainer, Ginter, Elvedi, Wendt; Benes, Zakaria, Johnson, Neuhaus; Thuram, Ple
RB Leipzig; Gulacsi; Klostermann, Mukiele, Konate, Orban, Halstenberg; Sabitzer, Demme, Nkunku; Werner, Poulsen
In a stunning display of team work and fun, the Portland Timbers made a resounding…
Toronto FC 2 - 4 Inter Miami TORONTO, ON--Inter Miami secured all three points against…
Colorado Rapids 0-1 St. Louis City SC COMMERCE CITY, CO--Colorado's woes continues as they fell…
Seattle Sounders FC 1-1 San Diego FC SEATTLE, WA--One team was looking to keep pace…
FC Dallas 3-1 Real Salt Lake FRISCO, TX--Petar Musa did not score last night, but…
Despite a spirited effort against its regional rival, Angel City still could not break its…