A debut to be erased as quickly as possible for Schalke 04, who made an immediate return to the Bundesliga after their painful relegation two seasons ago and a year of purgatory in the lower division. Frank Kramer’s men debuted with a heavy defeat (3-1) on the field of Cologne, a team built to do well also in Europe – the Billy Goats will in fact take part in the Conference League – proving to have some adaptation problems to the new category. A result that goes even too tight to the hosts, literally dominant in the possession phase but unable to convert in goal the numerous chances created.
Logical that the club will have to keep on moving in the market to guarantee the former Arminia Bielefeld coach at least two-three other elements of category in order to reach a quiet salvation, the objective they have set themselves in Gelsenkirchen.
On the other hand, Daniel Farke’s Borussia Monchengladbach got off to a strong start, and in the first day of the championship they already won a possible direct clash (3-1) for Europe with Hoffenheim. The Fohlen have an obligation to redeem last year’s anonymous season, spent almost entirely on the right side of the table. Farke, fresh from his long experience in England with Norwich – during which he collected two promotions from the Championship to the Premier League – has restarted with a few certainties (Elvedi, Bensebaini, Plea, Neuhaus and Thuram) and aims to be the loose cannon of the tournament.
Gladbach players’ jubilation ©️Ansafoto
The prediction
Borussia Monchengladbach gave a very good feeling on their debut and seem to have regained motivation and enthusiasm with the arrival of the new coach. Schalke 04 will also want to do well, as they have to redeem their bad debut and at the same time give a smile to their public. The hosts are slight favourites, but it is a match in which both teams, far from impeccable in the non-possession phase, should score.
Schalke 04-Borussia Monchengladbach
likely line-ups.
SCHALKE 04 (4-3-3): Schwolow; Brunner, Yoshida, Kaminski, Ouwejan; Krauß, Kral, Zalazar; Bülter, Terodde, Mohr.
BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH (4-3-3): Sommer; Scally, Itakura, Elvedi, Bensebaini; Kone, Kramer, Neuhaus; Hofmann, Thuram, Plea.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2