Can Union escape a hiding at Gladbach?
Champions League chasing Borussia Monchengladbach face off with Union Berlin this weekend, striving for survival in their first season in the topflight. Marco Rose’s played second fiddle in a goalless draw with 17th placed Werder Bremen in midweek, and in the process, thanks to Bayer Leverkusen’s shock defeat, made their way back into the top four on goal difference. Therefore this time around the impetus is on them to press on the advantage and put a weak Union Berlin side to the sword, the experts are supporting a big home win so my book says give the battling visitors a chance.
Last time out
Union recovered from two successive defeats since the resumption of play to draw with also relegation threatened Mainz having been reduced to 10 men in the first period. Robert Andrich’s careless second yellow card put the newly promoted outfit at a huge disadvantage having gone behind early thanks to Bote Baku’s sweet strike and yet they clawed their way back to remain four points above the drop zone.
Florian Kohfeldt’s side were the stronger on Tuesday evening, winning the expected goals battle 0.92 – 0.47 despite the bore draw. They also won the shot count 11 to 7, continuing to look rejuvenated in their underdog scrap against slipping into the Bundesliga 2 for the first time since 1980. Rose would have been elated to that even though they performed poorly, they moved back up into fourth and that luck should motivate them to perform well at Borussia-Park on Sunday.
Key man
Italy-born French forward, son of Lilian, Marcus Thuram has had a breakout season at Gladbach, with eight goals and eight assists in the league and aged 22 is sure to make plenty of big pursed clubs shortlists this summer. The pacey athlete signed from Guingamp last July and have represented France over 30 times at youth level. Thuram made the scoresheet on the first two matchdays after the suspension, a half volley against Leverkusen to level proceedings really demonstrated his nonchalant capabilities.
Union are on the precipice, hoping their workmanlike performances and team spirt can propel them away from the danger at the bottom. Their endeavour should save them from a hiding in this one.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Clinical finishing and excellent combination play from the aforementioned French duo of Alassane Plea and Marcus Thuram was Union's downfall, 4-1.