Markus Gisdol: TSG facing one of the league's “top sides”

There's some good squad news for TSG ahead of the game: Apart from Eugen Polanski (yellow-card suspension), everyone is available for the manager. “We have a full squad to choose from.”

That's one of the reasons why Gisdol couldn't talk about who will play on Saturday. But he wants his side to “take the positive feelings from the recent games” with them to Gladbach. “We're up for it and we want to show that in the match.”

Don't measure them by recent results

Gisdol was full of praise for the upcoming Bundesliga opponents: “Lucien Favre and Max Eberl have done good work over the last three years and Gladbach have become one of the league's top sides. It would be a big mistake to measure Borussia by their recent results.”

Favre's side have yet to win a Bundesliga game since the turn of the year, although Gisdol felt that they were only a “hair's breadth” away in their most recent game – Gladbach conceded an 88th-minute equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Bremen last week. “All in all, Borussia have a very mature squad that constantly plays to a high standard,” noted the TSG boss.

A battle of playing styles

Markus Gisdol also pointed out clear differences in the two sides' playing styles: “Gladbach arguably have more organisation with their 4-4-2 setup and try to get behind the ball as quickly as possible in order to lock down their opponents' passing play.” TSG's tactical approach is more about aggressive pressing.

The Hoffenheim fans set to travel to Mönchengladbach can look forward to seeing which playing style comes out on top on Saturday and whether TSG can build on their good record. The Kraichgau side have won six of their eleven Bundesliga meetings with Borussia so far, losing just twice (three draws).

Match facts and statistics »