There is a shortage of personnel in the defensive area. The long-term absence of Nico Elvedi is hurting Borussia These are possible options for head coach Adi Hütter
The switch to a three-man backline is one of the factors why Borussia’s conceded goal record has been right for a few weeks now. However, with “midfielder” Nico Elvedi one of the key figures will be out for the next few weeks, the Swiss suffered a ligament injury in his right ankle during the 1:1 in Mainz “He has played outstandingly in the last few weeks”, Hütter regrets Elvedi’s serious injury. Especially as with Jordan Beyer (muscle injury in the thigh) and Tony Jantschke (fractures in the face) two other centre-backs are also unavailable. Hütter is running out of central defenders. What can the coach do?
Zakaria as head of defence? Advantage and disadvantage at the same time
In Mainz, Hütter took Denis Zakaria back into the three-man backline after Elvedi’s exit and substituted Florian Neuhaus for midfield. The pro for this variant: Zakaria is with his speed and his duel strength a top occupation for the central position in the three-man backline. The disadvantage: Gladbach actually needs Zakaria’s qualities in the six-man position in order to become dominant and stable there. In Mainz, the home side clearly gained the upper hand in midfield after the break and exposed Gladbach’s weaknesses at the back. It remains to be seen whether Hütter will favour the Mainz variant with Neuhaus alongside “Manu” Koné in the next home game against Greuther Fürth.
Christoph Kramer could also be of interest to Hütter against the last team in the table. Kramer, who is stronger defensively than Neuhaus, wants to be ready for action again by Saturday after overcoming a strain. Only a selective change in front of the defence – and above all an adherence to the recently very well functioning system with a three-man backline, then also again with Zakaria in the middle.
The squad is already exhausted in defence
If Hütter is desperate to have Zakaria, who is so physically strong, back in midfield, the obvious solution would be to switch to a back four. Matthias Ginter and Ramy Bensebaini would then form the central defence, with Joe Scally (right) and Luca Netz (left) occupying the full-back positions. In the possible 4-2-3-1 system, Koné and Zakaria would be reunited in the midfield centre. But no matter which option Hütter decides on in the end: Nothing more must happen in the defensive area now. In Mainz, no trained centre-back or full-back was on the bench any more.