Vfl Bochum vs. Borussia Monchengladbach – Bundesliga relegation play-off preview
On May 25, 2011, Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach will face Bundesliga 2 outfit, VfL Bochum, in the second leg of the Bundesliga relegation/Promotion play-off at Rewirpower Stadion, Bochum.
Crunch game ahead
VfL Bochum head into this game knowing that only a victory would give them Bundesliga status for the next season. Though Bochum lost 1-0 away to Monchengladbach last Thursday, they have the home advantage this time around. A 93rd minute strike
from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Igor-de-Camargo-c16693 was enough to give the Borussians a great advantage. However, VfL Bochum’s performance in the game justifies cause for optimism ahead of their biggest game of the season.
Team for the big occasion
Bochum coach, Friedhelm Funkel, knows that his team has been turning in top-class performances every time it matters the most and is hopeful that home advantage would give the players an initiative. Though Bochum lost at the Borussia Park, their bold attacking
strategy was definitely a good performance. While talking to the media, Funkel said, "The team have always turned in a top-class performance when it really mattered", before adding that the players will be giving everything once again.
Extra time is a distinct possibility with the tie so delicately poised. However, Funkel is not worried about the score and insists that his side can make Borussia Monchengladbach struggle for 120 minutes if it comes down to that.
Cautious Favre
Borussia Monchengladbach coach, Lucien Favre, does not intend to leave anything to chance. Favre admitted that Bochum played good football in the first leg and were a danger in the attacking third. "Bochum did a very good http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Job-c18684 in the first game. They were
tight at the back and got up field very quickly after winning possession. They were also extremely dangerous at set pieces. We'll need to put in another top-notch performance to beat them", the 53-year-old Swiss said.
Probable Starting XI
VfL Bochum
Luthe - Freier, Maltritz, Yahia, Ostrzolek - Dabrowski, Johansson, Toski - Azaouagh, M. Aydin, Korkmaz
Borussia Monchengladbach
Ter Stegen - Jantschke, Stranzl, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Idrissou-c16648
Team News
VfL Bochum
Right-winger http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Paul-Freier-c29367 is expected to drop deeper into the midfield to cover for the suspended Bjorn Kopplin.
Borussia Monchengladbach
The Club’s top scorer, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marco-Reus-c23733, has not fully recovered from a muscle strain but is expected to play a major part in the second leg. Baring his absence, Lucien Favre has a fully-fit squad at his disposal.
Statistical case for both teams
The odds seem to be supporting Borussia Monchengladbach. Furthermore, it is rare for a Bundesliga 2 side to overcome a Bundesliga side in the relegation/promotion play-offs. However, Funkel has good record of guiding relegated clubs back to Bundesliga. The
German has won promotion five times in 20 years.
Prediction
A team like VfL Bochum can be a tricky one for any team in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Germany-c2904. Under Funkel, the Zebras have shown their fearless attitude when attacking, something that was evident in the first-leg of the play-off at the Borussia Park. Furthermore, Bochum are a secure
defensive unit which can sustain pressure for long durations. However, Monchengladbach might just edge the tie without scoring any further.
Predicted final score: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/VfL-Bochum-c40880 0-0 Borussia Monchengladbach
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