Flirting with the Champions League spots for the past few years, VfL Wolfsburg and Borussia Mönchengladbach have the best chance to break through into Europe's top club competition. The two clubs have gone about their success this season in two very different ways, but now affluence and astuteness will share a pitch to springboard their campaigns.
VfL Wolfsburg vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach: Time, TV schedule and game preview
Two Champions League hopefuls will share a pitch to better position themselves in their domestic campaigns.
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For much of the season, Wolfsburg and M’Gladbach have mirrored each other’s narrative. Both are trying to reach the Champions League after a significant absence – Wolfsburg since 2009-10, M’Gladbach since 1977-78. Both are on the verge of advancing in the Europa League despite losing to strong European clubs from England and Spain. Both started with solid unbeaten runs, yet recent results have called into question their top-of-table viability.
Now the northern rivals go head-to-head for the first time this season in an intriguing Bundesliga showcase. A winner could use the result to propel themselves into a strong position to end out the fall season of the Bundesliga.
Key Player: Max Kruse
Few in the Bundesliga can burst into space the way Kruse can. He may not be the best in tight situations, but judging by the defensive performance from Wolfsburg a week ago, he will not have many tight situations to squeeze through. Wolfsburg are a team that likes to dictate the pace of the match, but since Kruse works best against the run of play, he should have the perfect environment in which to flourish.
Key Matchup: Christoph Kramer vs. Kevin De Bruyne
Two of Germany’s best young midfield talents will occupy the same midfield on Sunday. With Xhaka’s suspension, Kramer will tasked with starting the play, but he will also have his hands full with the playmaking ability of De Bruyne. Both crucial to the midfield presence of their teams, whoever makes the biggest impact could determine the outcome of the match.
VfL Wolfsburg Injuries and Suspensions
Out: Felipe (stroke), Patrick Ochs (knee), Luiz Gustavo (yellow card accumulation)
Borussia Mönchengladbach Injuries and Suspensions
Out: Mahmoud Dahoud (thigh), Granit Xhaka (red card)
With beefed up squads, both Wolfsburg and Gladbach have the personnel to supplement the loss of key midfielders such as Granit Xhaka and Luiz Gustavo. Håvard Nordtveit and Junior Malanda will be the ones to step up in holding midfield. Nordtveit will be more of a midfield staple in front of a good-but-not-great defense, while Junior Malanda will bolt from box-to-box to help on both ends of the pitch.
Match Date/Time: Sunday, November 30, 3:30 PM local, 9:30 AM EST
Television: GolTV (USA & Canada), ESPN UK (UK), Sky Bundesliga 2 (Germany)
Online: Sky Go (Germany), BT Sport/ESPN (UK)
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