Bayern chase last 16, Gladbach battle for survival
October 31, 2016
Bayern returned to their winning ways when they toppled PSV Eindhoven 4-1 in Munich two weeks ago, after having suffered a short dip in form.
Now, they stand to clinch a berth in the last 16 of the Champions League - if they win in Eindhoven on Tuesday and at the same time, Atletico Madrid avoid defeat against Rostov. Bayern look a good bet to get a result in Eindhoven, as they have been in great form recently, having won each of their last four games in all competitions.
"We simply have to win and we still want to be first in the group," said Bayern attacker Arjen Robben, who is set to play his first club match in the Netherlands since he left PSV in 2002.
Bayern go into the match trailing Athletico Madrid by three points in Group D; the gap resulting from their 1-0 loss in Madrid in September. Bayern and Atletico could wind up playing for the top spot in Group D when they face each other on in Munich on December 6, the final matchday of the group stage. However, it all depends on how the next couple of games pan out for both teams.
"It would be great if we were to get another decisive game in Munich against Atletico," the Bayern chairman, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, said. "But that also depends partly on us. Therefore we have to first ensure that we keep things open over the next two games."
Gladbach aiming to stay in contention
The Foals got their first three points in the group stage of the Champions League two weeks ago in Glasgow, beating Celtic 2-0 to keep alive their hopes of advancing. However, a fortnight later, Gladbach really aren't firing on all cylinders.
Although their defense has improved - they have kept four clean sheets in their last five games in all competitions - Gladbach have not scored in their last four league games. Their scoreless run, which has seen them drop to 11th place in the Bundesliga standings, is not the kind of form you want to be in heading into another critical Champions League fixture.
"We have a very good defensive structure to our game, and have kept clean sheets," Mönchengladbach coach Andre Schubert said. "That is a positive, but we're lacking a bit of creativity going forward."
Raffael and Thorgan Hazard, who have scored 13 of Gladbach's 24 goals this season, have not been available since the October international break. Hazard and speedy winger Ibrahima Traore are expected to miss Tuesday's rematch against Celtic, but Raffael could be included in the lineup.
"We missed the kind of players who can get the ball under control in the tightest spots and keep it moving forward," sporting director Max Eberl said after Friday's 0-0 draw with Frankfurt.
The pressure is on Gladbach to take all three points on Tuesday, for if they don't, they could find themselves in a must-win match when they host Premier League leaders Manchester City on November 23. The Citizens are in second place in Group C on four points, as they prepare to host Barcelona, who are top of the group with the maximum nine points.