Borussia Monchengladbach - Real Madrid: preview, team news, predicted XIs

Borussia Mönchegladbach host Real Madrid at the Borussia-Park on Tuesday evening in the second round of Champions League group stage matches in an unexpected position: Marco Rose’s side sit ahead of both Inter Milan and Zinedine Zidane’s Madrid after a draw against the Serie A side with Shakhtar currently occupying top spot after beating the 13-times title winners in the Spanish capital to turn what appeared to be one of the more straightforward groups on its head.

Like that episode of Seinfeld that runs backwards, Group B is completely the opposite way around from what was widely predicted before a ball had been kicked. As it is, Madrid prop up the mini-table and Inter are in the Europa League spot. It may not remain that way for long but if this strangest of seasons is anything to go by both the Liga and Serie A heavyweights are going to have to start punching to avoid finding themselves on the ropes when they meet in a double header that could prove decisive to their goal of emerging from the group on top. Madrid, after being thrashed over 45 minutes by a second-string Shakhtar side missing 13 first team players, are already on a standing count.

Zidane’s side steadied themselves ahead of the trip to Germany, where they do not traditionally fare well, with a 3-1 Clásico victory over Barcelona at the weekend but Mönchengladbach will fancy their chances of causing an upset after being seconds and Romelu Lukaku’s knee away from beating Inter in the San Siro. Rose’s side are far from just “a German team.”

Madrid are hardly exuding the aura of invincibility they have held before in Europe but have never failed to successfully navigate the group stages of the Champions League. Anything other than a win in the Borussia-Park will raise fresh question marks over Zidane’s ability to mastermind another continental success with a squad that has only added the unavailable Martin Odegaard after being dumped out of the first knock-out round by Manchester City last season.

Borussia Mönchengladbach predicted XI vs Real Madrid

Sommer; Lainer, Ginter, Elvedi, Bensebaini; Kramer, Neuhaus; Hofmann, Stindl, Thuram; Plea

Real Madrid predicted XI vs Borussia Mönchengladbach

Courtois; Vázquez, Varane, Ramos, Mendy; Casemiro, Kroos, Valverde; Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius

Borussia Mönchengladbach vs Real Madrid: injuries and suspensions

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Rose has some significant absentees in defence and midfield, but can call on midfield anchor Denis Zakaria. Andreas Poulsen and Laszlo Benes are also out while Valentino Lazaro and Mamadou Doucouré are doubtful.

Zidane welcomes Eden Hazard back to the squad for the first time this season but the Belgian is likely to start on the bench, unless anything happens to Lucas Vázquez before the game: the Spain winger will be forced to fill in at right back with Dani Carvajal, Álvaro Odriozola and Nacho all out injured. Odegaard remains on the sideline with stand-in striker Mariano.

Borussia Mönchengladbach vs Real Madrid: what the managers said

Marco Rose: "It’s obviously very special to be playing against Real Madrid and we’re really looking forward to going up against a world-class opponent like them. Madrid have got some incredible footballers in their ranks and they play at an unbelievably high standard, but even a team like them can have an off day. We have to take advantage of any of the mistakes that they make and take the game to them. If we go out and fight, I think we can surprise them."

Zinedine Zidane: "The performance we delivered in El Clásico is exactly the kind of display we need to produce tomorrow. We played well, fought as a team and the most important thing is that we try and do that tomorrow. We've got to reproduce what we did at the weekend. We've got to put in a good performance and we know the situation we're in this, our second Champions League game. We'll have to stay focused for the 90 minutes, fight and battle. It'll be tough and we'll have to be focused on what we do out on the pitch".