Carrying a unbeaten streak since the start of the Rückrunde with eight consecutive victories including last weekends lustful trounching of Jürgen Klinsmann’s Bayern München, Mr. Magath knows the situation is radically different with Borussia.
After a number of years of falling on difficult times Borussia overpowered their way through Bundesliga 2 last year before suffering through a dreadful first half of this season. However with their crafty leader Hans Meyer coming on board in late October the have clawed their way out of what appeared to be a sure-fire route to Bundesliga 2. While Borussia, respectfully is shy on sheer talent, they make up for it with intensity and a manager ready to pull out tactics not seen in decades including from the pages of Karl Rappan’s "bolt" to squeeze out points. While many will look towards Felix Magath, Martin Jol or Markus Babbel as leaders in the coaching front this year, what Hans Meyer has done is simply outstanding (see standings below).
Looking towards the match Bosnian play-maker Zvjezdan Misimović said of Borussia:
"Gladbach are battling against relegation and need every point. They will do everything in their power to beat us, but if we keep a cool head, we can take something from this game too."
Rückrunde table | GP | W | D | L | Pts | |
| 9 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 25 | |
VfB Stuttgart | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 20 | |
Hamburger SV | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 18 | |
Hertha BSC | 9 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 16 | |
| 9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 14 | |
Bayern München | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 13 | |
Schalke 04 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 13 | |
Borussia Mönchengladbach | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 12 | |
Borussia Dortmund | 9 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 11 | |
FC Köln | 9 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 10 | |
Eintracht Frankfurt | 9 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 10 | |
Arminia Bielefeld | 9 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 10 | |
Werder Bremen | 9 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 9 | |
Bayer 04 Leverkusen | 9 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 9 | |
1899 Hoffenheim | 9 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 9 | |
Hannover 96 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 9 | |
Energie Cottbus | 9 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 7 | |
Karlsruher SC | 9 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 5 |