Gladbach’s coach Adi Hütteris one of the advocates of attacking football. In the derby at 1. FC Köln, however, stability at the back will once again be the basis, says the Austrian.
Even an offensive lover like Hütter likes such numbers. Only seven goals conceded in the past ten competitive games document Borussia’s new stability at the back, after the Gladbach box rang far too often last season, 56 times in the Bundesliga. “Sure, like to play good attacking football “, Hütter once again described his credo on Thursday, “but it doesn’t help if the barn is open at the back.” And that is exactly why the VfL coach is currently quite happy with his team’s defensive performance, because the barn is, to stay in the picture, closed more often than it used to be. “It’s very important to stabilise the defence. I think we have done that quite well in the past few weeks. We conceded relatively few goals. That is the basis for a successful team,” Hütter explained.
The next stability test awaits his team on Saturday with the derby. At Cologne, they have also registered this attentively on the left bank of the Lower Rhine, something has come about under the new coach. “The connection between FC and Steffen Baumgart works well. And a combination like that is often the key to a good team, you’ve already seen that this season,” said sports director Max Eberl at the press conference and stressed: “We’ll have to put everything on the line to bring home a win on Saturday. “
Hütter: “Everyone wants to win this derby “
From Hütter’s point of view, one of the things that sets the Cologne side apart is “their clear idea of the game “ “They play very high, very aggressive. They try to build up a lot of pressure in the opponent’s half,” the coach observed. For his team, this means “that we need solutions when we are pressed, that we are strong in two fights and that we are one hundred per cent focused until the end, in terms of mentality and emotion.” In any case, he does not have to worry about the issue of motivation. “I don’t need to motivate a single player for this match. Everyone knows what to do, everyone wants to win this derby,” said Hütter, who also emphasised: “It is important to remain objective and keep a cool head. We have enough strengths to win this game. “
Positive signals from Elvedi and Lainer
The Austrian left it open whether the eleven that won against Greuther Fürth (4-0) will also start in Cologne. The personnel situation is easing, however, and could offer interesting options. Especially if Nico Elvedi, who was strong before his injury, is available again. After overcoming a ligament injury in his foot, the Swiss player makes a very promising impression in training. “Things are looking relatively good with him,” Hütter confirmed. Elvedi’s return is therefore to be expected, and Stefan Lainer could also make his squad comeback after breaking his ankle. Hütter said: “He has been back in training for 14 days now. The chances are very good that he will be in the squad. “