Brentford fans attending the pre-season friendly against Borussia Mönchengladbach can expect an open game and goals, explains Ronan Murphy, Bundesliga and European football pundit for Sony Sports Network.
The Bundesliga side visit Gtech Community Stadium on Friday evening (7.30pm kick-off BST) in what is the final fixture prior to the Bees beginning their 2025/26 Premier League campaign away at Nottingham Forest.
This game rounds off Borussia Mönchengladbach’s pre-season programme, before they open the season with a DFB Pokal tie against Atlas Delmenhorst. How would you say the last month or so has gone for them?
Gladbach have had a positive pre-season so far, starting with a 3-0 friendly win over Erzgebirge Aue before heading to Tegernsee for a training camp in the Bavarian Alps.
The scenery there is stunning, but their friendly showing against Metalist 1925 Kharkiv was less impressive as they lost 2-1.
The one good thing that came from that match in the mountains was a goal for Haris Tabaković, a new signing from Hoffenheim, who the Foals hope will add some experience to their attack.
Gerardo Seoane used two entirely different XIs in the halves against Nürnberg last week, with each side winning their respective 45 minutes 1-0 over the 2. Bundesliga side.
Between 2011/12 and 2019/20 they were, more often than not, a top-six Bundesliga club, but they have not finished above 10th since 2020/21. What do you think they need to do to get back there?
Gladbach are traditionally one of Germany’s best clubs, especially during the 1970s, where they were twice UEFA Cup champions and even reached the European Cup final where they lost to Liverpool and Kevin Keegan.
More recently, their best period came in the 2010s when they had impressive players like Marco Reus and Granit Xhaka.
Now, they find it harder than ever to keep star names like these at the club, especially when they unearth goalscoring attackers like Alassane Pléa or Marcus Thuram.
Gladbach do not have the finances to compete with the top teams in their own league and definitely not with teams from Europe’s other big leagues.
They have to try to sign players smartly or get players on loan and have only spent more than €10m on a player once since 2020.
What have you made of their transfer business to date?
Tabaković was signed on loan from Hoffenheim and the 31-year-old has done well in pre-season so far, but more is expected from Japanese attacker Shūto Machino who joined from Holstein Kiel.
Though Kiel were relegated last season, Machino scored 11 Bundesliga goals and should give Gladbach double figures again this season.
Jens Castrop looks an extremely shrewd addition, coming in from the second division in Germany and, at 22, is seen as one of the country’s rising stars in midfield having played for the national side from Under-16 to Under-21 level.
Which player should Brentford fans be keeping an eye on?
Rocco Reitz played the second half of the 2-0 win over Nürnberg, having missed the start of pre-season due to international commitments.
The midfielder was a part of Germany’s team for the European Under-21 Championships, even starting the final against England.
He has already trained with the Germany senior squad and will be looking to win his first full cap in the next 12 months.
A disciplined midfielder, the 23-year-old will be crucial to Gladbach’s success domestically this season as he can be relied upon to start and stop attacks.
What should Keith Andrews’ side expect from Die Fohlen in terms of shape and style?
Gladbach have been playing a 4-2-3-1 in pre-season, carrying over this approach from last season where they finished 10th in the Bundesliga.
Tim Kleindienst is still recovering from injury so could miss out again, with new signing Tabaković expected to start as the lone striker.
Gladbach’s opponents so far in pre-season would have been seen as lesser opposition so the Foals have largely looked to control the ball and counter attack quickly, using their wide attackers to cross into Tabaković.
Seoane has been trying to play a high line in the friendlies but reverted to a lower block in the second half against Nürnberg and could end up doing the same against Brentford.
Machino could be used out wide rather than through the middle and will look to impress his new team-mates and head coach.
What’s your score prediction?
Seoane has been trying to improve Gladbach’s performance out of possession and when winning the ball back, so this could lead to a more open game with goals for both sides.
A score draw seems likely as both teams look to test out their players and build fitness before the new Premier League and Bundesliga seasons.
