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Mönchengladbach - Barcelona

Mönchengladbach boss Schubert: No fear against Barça

Meanwhile, Barcelona keeper Marc-André ter Stegen said he "cannot wait" to face his former club, who he left for Los Azulgranas in 2014.

Update:
Mönchengladbach boss Schubert: No fear against Barça
Fernando ZuerasDiario AS

Borussia Mönchengladbach coach André Schubert says his side have nothing to fear against a Barcelona team shorn of the injured Lionel Messi for Wednesday's Champions League clash.

Barça opened their assault on Europe a fortnight ago with a 7-0 drubbing of Celtic at the Camp Nou while the Germans suffered a 4-0 defeat at Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.

"No reason to be awestruck"

But Schubert, whose contract has been extended until 2019, insists his side need not be intimidated.

"There is no reason to be awestruck. We will approach the game with energy, joy and a willingness to fight," Schubert told a press conference.

Schubert's new deal, announced on Tuesday, is recognition for steering Gladbach from bottom of the Bundesliga when he took over in September 2015 to Champions League qualification by finishing fourth.

Schubert has been rewarded for turning around Mönchenglabach's fortunes with a new contract.
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Schubert has been rewarded for turning around Mönchenglabach's fortunes with a new contract.PATRIK STOLLARZAFP

"We'd have liked to have seen Messi"

The show of faith in the 45-year-old coach is a timely boost ahead of the visit of Luis Enrique's Barcelona, who are without groin-injury victim Messi.

"We'd liked to have seen Lionel Messi at Borussia Park," said Schubert.

"We always like to play against very, very good teams, but the best player in the world will be missing.

"Barcelona are very dangerous going forward. We have to be brave enough to play our own football against this team.

"We want to be true to our own style, but also react well tactically."

Messi, 29, missed Saturday's 5-0 thrashing away to Sporting Gijón and is due to also sit out their forthcoming Spanish league match at Celta Vigo.

In his absence, Luis Suárez and Neymar came to the fore at Gijón, who played the final 10 minutes with 10 men, as Suárez opened the scoring before Neymar netted twice in the closing stages.

Javier Mascherano, Jordi Alba, Ivan Rakitic and Andrés Iniesta were all rested at Sporting and the quartet are expected to return in Germany.

With Rakitic and Iniesta coming back into the midfield, Turkey international Arda Turan is likely to move forward to accompany Suárez and Neymar.

For the German hosts, Brazilian forward Raffael and winger Patrick Herrmann are expected to return after injuries.

Both Tobias Strobl (thigh) and Álvaro Domínguez (back) will be absent, but there are no fresh injury concerns for Gladbach.

Stindl faces the media ahead of Wednesday's clash.
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Stindl faces the media ahead of Wednesday's clash.MARIUS BECKEREFE

"Barcelona are something special" - Stindl

Captain Lars Stindl says his team is looking forward to measuring themselves against one of the world's best.

"Barcelona are something special, one of the biggest teams in the world," said the attacking midfielder.

"We want to contain them and seek our own fortune."

"I cannot wait" - Ter Stegen

Barça goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen will return to the club where he started his career before joining the Spanish giants in 2014.

"Borussia are my first love and that will always be the case. My farewell really was overwhelming," said the 24-year-old Germany international, who won the 2015 Champions League with Barça in Berlin.

"My return to Gladbach has definitely come sooner than expected and I absolutely cannot wait for it.

"I had a great time there and spent my entire career there apart from the last two years.

"But Barcelona were one of the few clubs I just couldn't turn down. I'm sure the Borussia fans can understand the decision that I made."

Ter Stegen joined Barça from Mönchengladbach.
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Ter Stegen joined Barça from Mönchengladbach.PAU BARRENAAFP