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Gladbach and Bayern ready for showdown

Jonathan HardingOctober 24, 2014

Matchday nine in the Bundesliga sees a classic match-up from the 1970s become a modern day classic as Bayern take on Gladbach. Elsewhere, Leverkusen host Schalke and Bremen's Robin Dutt faces a decisive game vs. Cologne.

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Bundesliga FC Bayern München Borussia Mönchengladbach Sport Deutschland
Image: Getty Images

Gladbach fans, and perhaps even most Bundesliga fans, will be hoping that Lucien Favre's side can topple the mighty Bayern Munich this weekend as the pair close matchday nine on early Sunday evening. If not, the danger is that the league title may once again be prematurely decided.

Sitting in second spot in the table and coming into the Bayern game off the back of a confident 5-0 win in the Europa League against Apollon Limassol is perfect preparation for Gladbach. Sporting director Max Eberl said "It's up to us to challenge Bayern. We won't chicken out."

In his pre-match press conference, Favre was guarded about his tactics and the game against Bayern. "There will be changes, but how many I don't yet know," said Favre.

The last time Gladbach were undefeated in their first eight league games was 38 years - a season which ended in them lifting the trophy for the third consecutive time.

One of the most legendary meetings between the two sides came on May 18th, 1974 when Gladbach saw off the then European Cup winners by five goals to nil. Five years later on March 24th, Gladbach won by even more, scoring seven to Bayern's one.

Franz Beckenbauer Günther Netzer Bayern Gladbach 1972
Franz Beckenbauer and Günther Netzer in a 1972 clashImage: Imago

The 7-1 scoreline is one that Bayern are themselves fond of having just beaten Roma by the same score during the week. "I hope we can pick up the same sort of result in Gladbach as we did in Rome. It will be difficult, because they're second for a reason," said Mario Götze before the game. A win for Bayern would extend their lead at the top of the Bundesliga to seven points, and would provide further comfort to injury-stricken midfielder Thiago, whose latest surgery was successful.

Judgement day for Dutt

Elsewhere, Werder Bremen coach Robin Dutt knows it's win or bust on Friday night against Cologne. Bremen are currently bottom of the Bundesliga and without a win all season. A defeat would most likely spell the end of both coach Robin Dutt and sporting director Thomas Eichin's time at the club, leaving an unwanted chalice for the next coach. Cologne are on the up after their surprise win against Dortmund last weekend and are perhaps even favourites for the match.

Dortmund have picked up only point in their last five Bundesliga games, so on Saturday at home against Hannover 96 - a side that have yet to score away in the Bundesliga this season - Jürgen Klopp's side are expected to transfer their UEFA Champions League form to the league. Sven Bender may well be involved despite picking up an elbow injury in Istanbul, and Klopp will look to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to carry on his good form in front of goal. Hannover are without Christian Pander and Hiroki Sakai.

Bundesliga 8. Spieltag München - Bremen
How much longer Robin?Image: Reuters/Michaela Rehle

Top teams clash, Reunion in Berlin

Despite not currently occupying any of the top four spots, the showdown between Leverkusen and Schalke on Saturday could be viewed as a "top-four clash", and goals are expected. Roger Schmidt's mantra of attack before defence should be interesting against Roberto Di Matteo's counterattacking style. Stefan Kiessling needs a goal having not scored since matchday one, and Schalke will be without Kevin Prince Boateng who is injured.

Fussball 1. Bundesliga Hamburg vs Hoffenheim Jubel
Can Lasogga guide HSV to victory again?Image: picture-alliance/dpa/A. Heimken

One man who isn't out this weekend is Pierre-Michel Lasogga. The former Hertha Berlin striker returns home, but in Hamburg colours as Germany's capital hosts the team from it's second largest city. Lasogga may well prove the difference for a rejuvinated Hamburg side, but whether or not he'll celebrate if he scores remains to be seen. Dennis Diekmeier and Petr Jiracek are both injured.

Armin Veh's new job takes him to his old one as Stuttgart travel to Frankfurt on Saturday, where home coach Thomas Schaaf will be involved in his 750th Bundesliga game on the weekend, as both a player and a coach. Augsburg face second-bottom Freiburg, and Hoffenheim will be looking to take advantage of a potential Gladbach slip-up by beating remarkable newcomers Paderborn. On Sunday, Wolfsburg host Mainz, with only one goal currently separating the two in the table, and Dieter Hecking can welcome back Aaron Hunt and Nicklas Bendtner.