FC Bayern vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach preview: Leaders face Foals without injured talisman

Here is our official match preview for the Friday night Bundesliga match between Bayern Munich and Borussia Mönchengladbach. The Foals travel to Munich hoping to upset the Bundesliga’s dominant force, but the Bavarians remain overwhelming favourites even without their top scorer Harry Kane.

Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich welcome Borussia Mönchengladbach to the Allianz Arena on Friday night as Vincent Kompany’s side look to continue their march towards another league title.

The Bavarians have built a commanding lead at the top of the table after last week’s win against Borussia Dortmund and could extend that advantage even further with a victory against Bundesliga’s other Borussia. Gladbach, meanwhile, arrive knowing they will likely need a near-perfect performance to trouble the German champions on their own turf.

Recent form

Bayern have been in formidable form for much of the campaign, combining attacking firepower with defensive stability under Kompany, especially in recent weeks. The league leaders have consistently picked up points and appear firmly on course for the Meisterschale.

Gladbach’s season has been much more turbulent. After a difficult start to the campaign, the Foals have gradually improved since Eugen Polanski took charge earlier in the season. Despite their progress, consistency has remained an issue, leaving them with plenty of work to do in the second half of the campaign. Of their last five games, Gladbach have lost two, drawn two and only won the match last week vs. Union Berlin thanks to a penalty in stoppage time.

Polanski has urged his side to approach the game with “bravery rather than caution”.

The Gladbach coach also suggested that simply sitting deep against Bayern would be “almost suicidal,” instead calling for “absolute commitment” from his players when they face the Bundesliga leaders.

Looking back at both team’s first encounter this season, which was Polanski’s sixth game in charge, the outcome was quite simple: Gladbach could not contain Bayern offensive power and they lost the game 3-0 to the Bavarians due to goals from Guerreiro, Kimmich and Karl, who really started shining around this time of the season.

The hope for a better outcome for the Foals this time around is big.

Squad news

Bayern will be without their star striker Harry Kane, who has been ruled out with a calf injury after failing to recover in time for the match. 
The England captain’s absence represents a significant blow given his prolific scoring record this season, although Kompany has indicated the injury is minor and not expected to keep him out for long. It also gives a possible starting XI chance to Jamal Musiala and/or Nicolas Jackson, depending on the way Kompany wants to set his team up.

Besides Kane, Alphonso Davies, Hiroki Ito and Manuel Neuer will miss this match injured. Neuer could get fit in time, but it’s rather unlikely that Kompany will risk his starting goalkeeper getting on too early in this important phase of the season.

For Gladbach, Polanski has not suggested any major changes to his tactical approach despite Kane’s absence, insisting the Bavarians remain just as dangerous regardless of who leads the line.

Long-term injured Kleindienst, N’Goumou and Hack will miss this match, while new centre-back Takai is at question. Yannik Engelhardt, who cemented his spot in the starting eleven under Polanski, will miss this match due to a suspension.

Predicted lineups

FC Bayern (4-2-3-1):

Urbig – Stanišić, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer – Kimmich, Pavlović – Olise, Musiala, Díaz  Jackson

Borussia Mönchengladbach (3-4-2-1)
Nicolas – Sander, Elvedi, Diks – Scally, Reitz, Stöger, Ullrich – Honorat, Mohya – Tabaković

Match outlook

Even without Kane, Bayern remain overwhelming favourites heading into the clash. Their attacking depth means Kompany still has several options capable of leading the line or contributing goals from wide areas.

For Gladbach, the challenge will be balancing defensive organisation with the aggressive approach their coach has demanded. If the Foals can execute Polanski’s call for “absolute commitment,” they may yet cause problems, but any slip in concentration against Bayern could quickly prove costly.