Niederrhein Gladbach-Juwel looks optimistically at the Cologne derby

After a miserable start to the season with no points in the first four Bundesliga matches, Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Lower Rhine region experienced a crisis that triggered the first managerial change of the season. Now, after the long international break, Alexander Blessin is expected to revive the team before the derby against 1. FC Köln on Sunday.

Crisis after zero points

The start to the current Bundesliga season gave Borussia Mönchengladbach zero points from four games, which caused great dissatisfaction in the Lower Rhine. The lack of points led immediately to the first managerial change of the still‑young season.

New manager Blessin impresses

Alexander Blessin, the new coach, has already made a very good impression on the players in the first days, even though he has not yet been able to meet everyone personally. Wael Mohya, the 17‑year‑old midfield talent, praised him: “We had already been in contact, talked on the phone for a while. He seems like a really cool manager and a likeable guy, it will be exciting to get to know him in person.”

Mohya, who was in talks after his return from the German U21 national team, emphasized the positive atmosphere in the squad. He added that the team now goes into the upcoming derby week with fresh energy.

Another U21 talent, Lukas Ullrich, returns to Gladbach after three wins with the national team. Ullrich, who started against Georgia, is considered one of the best players on the pitch and brings additional momentum.

The upcoming derby against 1. FC Köln on Sunday is seen as the perfect match for a turnaround. Blessin explained: “We are currently in a difficult phase, but we will certainly get out of it, I am convinced of that. I will definitely take this positive energy into the derby week and then we’ll see what happens.”

Another player expressed enthusiasm: “This is definitely the perfect match for a turnaround, we’ll give it everything we’ve got. The new coach has already set the others up well and I’m excited to join in and find out what the situation is – and then we’ll attack, because there’s nothing else for us anyway.”

With this confidence, Gladbach looks ahead to the upcoming duel, hoping to end the crisis and start collecting points again.