96 to end streak at Borussia-Park

By: Helmut | February 20th, 2009

A preview of a match is a unique thing. For myself I find them a bit over-blown at times and I generally prefer to deal strictly to hard-line facts. Tangible data regarding injuries, recent play and how the clubs match-up is all that is needed in most cases and everything else is mostly a “writer” filling the page in search of “content”. Yet unfortunately that is misleading on many occasions because Football is not simply defined by “tangibles” but additionally the fight and spirit of a club.

That is likely the most important backdrop of 96’s visit of Borussia-Park. In the Rückrunde, Borussia Mönchengladbach has been one of the tougher clubs in the Bundesliga to play against and they will be looking to avenge the 5-1 beating from Hannover in September. Holding up the bottom of the Bundesliga, they have adopted a tough tactical plan under Hans Meyer and know their survivals hopes depend upon a victory over 96, who additionally have yet to win on the road. Capturing the under siege mentality, Borussia will fight for their life in this match and a battle should be expected.

Since the match in September a great deal has changed with both clubs including the loss of Szabolcs Huszti to Zenit Saint Petersburg who scored three times and Gladbach has solidified their defending with Logan Bailly between the posts and the leadership of Tomáš Galásek.

Hannover coach Dieter Hecking will have Leon Andreasen back from suspension and wait for late decisions on the health of Jan Schlaudraff, Altin Lala and Steven Cherundolo. There are no changes to with long term absences Vinicius, Valérien Ismaël, Gaëtan Krebs and Chavdar Yankov. There will be no changes to the attacking soul of the lineup with the Jiří Štajner, Arnold Bruggink and Jacek Krzynówek providing for the lone striker Mikael Forssell.