Mönchengladbach v Celtic: line-ups, where to watch, form guide
Monday, October 31, 2016
Article summary
André Schubert pinpointed Tom Rogic and Moussa Dembélé as threats but reckons his Gladbach side have enough quality to claim victory and set up a showdown with Manchester City.
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Article body
- German club have won just two of their last seven matches
- Celtic have several injury absentees; Hazard is set to return for hosts
- Gladbach struck two second-half goals to beat Celtic two weeks ago
- If Celtic lose then they will be out if City get a point against Barcelona
- Dembélé has scored 12 goals in his last 13 games for club and country
Possible line-ups
Mönchengladbach: Sommer; Korb, Elvedi, Vestergaard, Wendt; Kramer, Strobl; Johnson, Stindl, Hofmann; Hahn.
Out: Domínguez (back), Christensen (gluteal), Schulz (hip), Doucouré (fitness), Drmic (fitness)
Doubtful: Traoré (thigh), Hazard (knee)
Celtic: Gordon; Gamboa, Lustig, Sviatchenko, Izaguirre; Brown, Bitton; Forrest, Rogic, Sinclair; Dembélé.
Out: Tierney (ankle), Griffiths (illness), Šimunović (fitness), Touré (groin)
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here
André Schubert, Gladbach coach
Everyone knows how important this game is – it's a difficult challenge for us. It's great to have Raffael and [Thorgan] Hazard back in the fold. We'll see how they are feeling tomorrow, then we'll decide how big a role they can play.
Celtic are a dangerous team because they have nothing to lose. They can afford to take risks and have players like [Tom] Rogic and [Moussa] Dembélé who we need to keep a close eye on. I'm confident, though, that we have the quality in our side to win the match.
Brendan Rodgers, Celtic manager
We were second best in the last game, there's no doubt about that. It was probably one of the few games where we fell below the standards we have set. The Champions League has been a brilliant experience and this will prove to be a great foundation for us over the next few years.
Playing against the great teams we've played will help us for the future, but for now we want to come here and the only thing we are concentrating on is giving everything. There's no doubt we can win here. If we perform to the level that we know we can, then it's a possibility for us or else we wouldn't be here.
Weekend results
Mönchengladbach 0-0 Frankfurt
Oscar Wendt went closest for the hosts when his 72nd-minute drive was turned onto the bar, but the draw extended Mönchengladbach's winless Bundesliga run to four matches.
Aberdeen 0-1 Celtic(Rogic 23)
Tom Rogic's seventh strike of the season in all competitions – a fine half-volley from the edge of the box – won the battle of the top two in Scotland, the Hoops now unbeaten in 13 games in domestic competition.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Gladbach: DWLWDL
Celtic: WWWLWW
Reporter's view: Matthew Howarth (@UEFAcomMattH)
What an opportunity this is for Mönchengladbach. Bottom of Group C going into October's clash with Celtic, the Foals will leapfrog Manchester City into second place if they win at Borussia-Park and the Citizens fail to overcome Barcelona in England. Schubert's side have struggled in front of goal of late, but the likely return of star striker Raffael from injury could prove crucial against a Celtic team that have not conceded since losing 2-0 at home to Borussia a fortnight ago.
Did you know?
Gladbach suffered their heaviest European defeat against Celtic's city rivals Rangers. To find out the score and plenty of other interesting facts, check out our match background.