Monchengladbach vs Borussia Dortmund - Thomas Tuchel does not expect a repeat of opening day when Borussias meet again

Posted Saturday, January 23, 2016 by PA

Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel admits his side's 4-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach on the opening day of the Bundesliga season has no significance on the outcome of the two sides' latest battle this weekend.

That victory gave the Westphalians a flying start to the season, and they went on to win their first five league fixtures.

Gladbach, on the other hand, lost their opening five games of the season and that run of form prompted Lucien Favre to tender his resignation, which the club reluctantly accepted.

The two sides were separated by 15 points then, but that gap is now just nine points, thanks in no small part to the work of Favre's successor Andre Schubert.

The Foals have lost just one of the 12 games since he took charge and that is why Tuchel says their opening day meeting is no longer relevant.

"Saturday's game is going to be nothing like the reverse fixture," Tuchel said at a press conference on Friday.

"Gladbach have transformed since then, not only but also because of the change in coach.

"They are much more active, aggressive and run more under Schubert, so we expect them to be very courageous."

Only league leaders Bayern Munich have picked up more points than Gladbach in that period of 12 matches, which is why Tuchel is more concerned with the teams closing in behind his than the one pulling away ahead of them.

"Bayern's advantage is a comfortable one and they have deserved it too," he said.

"It does not make much sense right now to look ahead of us. Our fundamental challenge will be to maintain the level we are at.

"I hope we don't put too much pressure on ourselves with too high expectations."

Tuchel will be without Sven Bender and Marcel Schmelzer for Saturday's short trip across the state of North Rhine-Westphalia while Gladbach's injury problems have hardly improved over the winter break - but the opening of the transfer window has helped them strengthen.

Jonas Hofmann could face his former club while Martin Hinteregger is also part of the squad.

"Whether they start or sit on the bench, we will have to see," said Schubert, keeping his cards close to his chest for the battle of the Borussias.