Football Season Guide

Andre Schubert proved to be Borussia Mönchengladbach’s saviour last season after a terrible start to the campaign left them looking a long way behind their rivals for the top four. Schubert stuck to the attacking principles that gave Gladbach success in the 70s, 80s and under previous coach Lucien Favre and ultimately got his rewards with a fourth place finish in the league. The club started their playoff fixture against Young Boys in fine form with a commanding away win and they should finish the job off at home in the second leg on August 24th. Against Young Boys Schubert already used some of the new signings he has made in his first pre season with the club with Tobias Strobl and Jannik Vestergaard both making appearances. Those two players have been solid players for mid table teams in the Bundesliga and will be hoping to make the step up with Gladbach. But the most significant signing over the summer was the return of midfielder Christoph Kramer who signed on a permanent deal from Bayer Leverkusen. The German international enjoyed a two year loan spell with the club between 2013-15 and was hugely successful so he will hope to make his mark on the team once again. He comes in as something of a replacement for Arsenal bound Granit Xhaka, although Kramer is not made from quite the same tough tackling mould. Havard Nordtveit also moved to the Premier League to join West Ham but they are the only significant departures. Martin Stranzl finally retired after years of battling injuries but he was not really a regular last year. The core of the squad from last season remains intact though and Schubert will be hoping to continue progressing with them. The top two look very difficult to crack so Gladbach will aim to fight off contenders to their Champions League places and finish in the top four once again. But it is in the cups that they will hope to make their mark. Their Champions League campaign last year faltered at the start but they have the quality to make a better go of it this year with a kind group draw. In the cup they will also hope to get into the latter stages and try for an upset. Schubert plays in one of the most attacking styles of any side in the league, but their away form last year was awful as they finished with just four away wins all year and that will be an area they will have to improve.