Leipzig's defensive personnel tight ahead of top match against Mönchengladbach

Leipzig (dpa) -

Thin line

The defense is Leipzig's showpiece in the Bundesliga. They have only conceded five goals in nine games, which is better than any other team. But now Leipzig coach Marco Rose is running out of personnel. With Lukas Klostermann and Lutsharel Geertruida out alongside David Raum and Castello Lukeba, only three fit defenders remain in Willi Orban, Benjamin Henrichs and El Chadaille Bitshiabu.

Good times under Rose

Mönchengladbach was Marco Rose's first major coaching stint in Germany - and he immediately made a name for himself. The team finished fourth in 2020 and eighth in 2021, although the second half of the season was affected by his announced move to Dortmund. Since Rose's departure, Gladbach have never again finished in the top half of the table.

Problem top game

The so-called top game on Saturday evening does not suit Gladbach at all. At least in the recent past, ten 6.30pm games in a row without a win (two draws, eight defeats) speak for themselves. The last success so far? A 3-0 win over Leipzig in September 2022.

Welcome guest

Leipzig had not been beaten in 19 league games in a row until the defeat in Dortmund. The record against Gladbach shows that they could start a new streak on Saturday evening. Borussia have never won in eight visits to Leipzig's stadium. Most recently, there have been four consecutive defeats.

Points collectors

Only once has Leipzig had more than 20 points in their account after nine matchdays. In their debut season in the Bundesliga in 2016/17, they had one more point, finishing second, two points behind league leaders Bayern Munich. Today it is three points. Gladbach are in a much better position than a year ago. Although they have already collected 13 points instead of nine, there is talk of a crisis around Borussia-Park. It may be due to a lack of consistency, as they have yet to win two games in a row this season.