Downward trend in Borussia Mönchengladbach : Suddenly everything is different

The defeat was so painful, as she could be: 0:2 lost to Borussia Mönchengladbach in the already severed table last. The distance to fourth place, grew by the defeat to four points. Almost exactly three years ago now. So how then, Gladbach are also today the fifth; so as it is today, so Hanover was at that time 96 table last. But the similarities are depleted. Three years ago, Granit Xhaka joined after the defeat in Hannover in front of the team and announced that they would be very likely to reach the Champions League. "Who is going to be better than we are?", he asked.

It is not so long ago, because the current players would be able to Borussia, this is a question – and it would be thought of a not many answer choices. At the beginning of February, the company took second place, level on points with Bayern and only five points behind table leaders Dortmund. Until then, it has said coach Dieter Hecking, was "everything toppi". Eight weeks later, there is nothing more toppi: The Gladbach fell back to fifth place. Since last weekend, since the 1:3 defeat against Fortuna Düsseldorf, not for the first time since the fourth round on a Champions League place.

at The Moment, a lot is missing Heckings team. Among other things, a player like Granit Xhaka, who can not only play fine passes across the space, but also an unwavering self-confidence. Most recently, the company presented more like Doubting. And this Sunday (18 clock, live on Sky) meet at the sold-out Borussia-Park on Werder Bremen, currently something like your counter-model: during the week, the Bremen reached the semi-finals in the Cup, Werder are unbeaten at home this year.

Ironically, in this Situation, you have to put in Gladbach on the mentality of the players

Dortmund crisis is more than a Dent. In all of the categories have deteriorated to the values of: The team runs less, it allows more chances to score, and earned himself much less than in the first half of the season. Until the end of January, which Dortmund had won games all home, since you are waiting for another one. In the second round the team started with three Wins and 5:0 goals; the yield of the following seven Games was five points, 5:16 goals. Sounds a bit like the balance of a relegation candidate.

Ironically, in this Situation, you have to put in Gladbach on the mentality of the players. This is because since this week everything is different. On Monday, sporting Director Max Eberl sat in his car and drove 280 miles to Bad Nenndorf, Heckings place of residence to the coach to announce that their cooperation will end after the season. On Tuesday, it was learned first the team, then the Public. Eberl has decided noted that the upcoming separation of Hecking had nothing to do with the recent poor results. "We want to position ourselves for the future," said Eberl of his decision. "And it may be that this only applies to the coach."

Borussia Mönchengladbach coach Marco Rose in the approach

The announced change is to create a mess of a positive pulse. The team will definitely show a reaction, believes Eberl. It was from a sense of gratitude for coach Hecking. From a bad Conscience. Out Of Relief. Or simply because the player want to bring the season to a good end. "This team wants to go to Europe," says Hecking. "Not because of me. They want it for themselves.“