Gladbach vs. Heidenheim preview: Kleindienst faces former club
| Photo: Borussia Mönchengladbach |
Gladbach
Gladbach head into matchday 10 in 14th position after mustering just six points from as many matches. Die Fohlen lost out to Bayer Leverkusen and drew with Bochum, before they went on to lose consecutive matches against Stuttgart and Eintracht Frankfurt.
Gerardo Seoane’s side bounced back with a narrow 1-0 win over Union Berlin in their most recent home outing. However, they were unable to back up that result in their away clash with Augsburg. Keven Schlotterbeck and Alexis Claude-Maurice grabbed a goal apiece to give Augsburg a two-goal lead. Gladbach managed to pull a goal back through Kleindienst, but they were unable to find the elusive equaliser.
Kleindienst has now scored three goals in six Bundesliga appearances this season, and he will look to add to his tally when he lines up against the club he left in the summer. The 29-year-old enjoyed two loan spells and two permanent stints as a Heidenheim player, racking up over 172 appearances in all competitions. Last season, he scored 12 Bundesliga goals to help Heidenheim secure European football for the first time in their history.
Despite his association with Frank Schmidt’s side, Kleindienst will have little time for sentiment as he looks to guide Gladbach to their third league win of the season.
Team News
The hosts are expected to be without Jonas Omlin, Jan Olschowsky, Nathan Ngoumou and Yvandro Borges Sanches.
Heidenheim
Heidenheim will begin matchday 10 in ninth position after taking nine points from six matches. They kicked off the campaign with consecutive wins over St. Pauli and Augsburg, before they fell to back-to-back defeats.
Schmidt’s charges managed to return to winning ways in their away meeting with Mainz on matchday five. They went on to claim a narrow 2-1 win over Olimpija in their opening match of the Conference League main draw. However, they were unable to claim a third consecutive victory in their final outing before the international break as they fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat to RB Leipzig. Loïs Openda’s second-half effort proved enough to condemn Heidenheim to a second straight home league defeat.
They will now head on their travels with hopes of continuing their impressive away form, having won four and lost one of their five competitive away games this season. In fact, Saturday’s visitors have lost just one of their previous seven away matches in the top flight.
Team News
Heidenheim are unable to call upon Maximilian Breunig and Thomas Keller, who are both ruled out with muscle injuries. Meanwhile, Luka Janeš has been ruled out due to a shoulder issue. As for Niklas Dorsch, he will serve the second game of a two-match suspension.