Gladbach counting on strike duo to cement European push against Freiburg

Borussia Monchengladbach manager says ”it’s all about reloading the cannons from behind” as they visit Freiburg at the Schwarzwald-Stadion on Friday at 7:30pm GMT.

Freiburg are looking to solidify their position as they sit eighth with the same amount of points as 9th Hoffenheim with 38 points.

Christian Streitch’s men however, have only won two games in their last 10, and come off the back of a tight defeat at home against Leverkusen. Another obstacle will be efficiency in front of goal, talisman Nils Petersen has only found the net two times in the last 12 games, he has nine league goals so far this season.

Meanwhile, visitors Borussia Monchengladbach are on a better run, with two losses against Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund in the last 10 contests as they sit fourth with 56 points, two away from third RB Leipzig.

Die Fohlen have just comfortably defeated Union Berlin at home as they remain supported by French duo Alassane Plea and Marcus Thuram. They were both on the score sheet with a goal and a brace respectively. Plea has found the net 10 times and provided 10 assists while Thuram has scored 10 goals and created eight.

Team news

Freiburg will be missing defender Robin Koch who was taken off in the second half against Leverkusen.

Forward Janik Haberer is in doubt as he has been struggling with injuries recently, while Gian-Luca Waldschmidt is likely to feature this weekend.

Concerning Monchengladbach, Marco Rose will have to play without Denis Zakaria, Fabian Johnson and Tobias Strobl. Experienced striker Raffael persists as a doubt for the trip to Freiburg.

Marco Rose relying French forwards

The Monchengladbach manager insisted on the importance of the Plea, Thuram partnership:

”The two are important to us and how well we are positioned up there. Now it’s all about reloading the cannons from behind and then try to hit as best as possible so that we can achieve our big goals.”

Head-to-head

SC Freiburg win: 9

Borussia Monchengladbach win: 8

Draw: 5