Monchengladbach vs Bayern Munich preview

Posted Sunday, October 26, 2014 by PA

Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola believes his team enter a critical fortnight in their season when they tackle Borussia Monchengladbach on Sunday.

The spirits are particularly high in Bavaria after a 7-1 win over Roma in the Champions League in midweek, but the smile could be wiped off Bayern faces if they lower their guard in the coming days.

After travelling to Gladbach, Bayern face Hamburg in the DFB-Pokal in midweek before hosting Borussia Dortmund at the weekend.

They can seal their berth in the knock-out stage of the Champions League on November 5 by beating Roma again, but the first of the approaching fixtures is likely to be particularly tough.

"The next 10 days are going to be the most important of the first half of the season," Guardiola said.

"Only then will we see how high our level is.

"Gladbach are a top team - a team worthy of a place in the Champions League - and they have fantastic organisation with very, very dangerous wide men."

Monchengladbach underlined that on Thursday with a 5-0 win over Apollon Limassol in the Europa League, giving them confidence for Sunday's clash with the only team above them in the Bundesliga.

"It was an important win for us, but we're now focusing fully on Bayern Munich," said Monchengladbach manager Lucien Favre at a press conference on Friday.

"We know what kind of quality Bayern have got. They have world-class players and we know it's going to be tough."

Monchengladbach have proven their own quality this season, matching Bayern almost stride by stride.

"We've not lost in 14 games and that is why we can go into this game with a lot of self-confidence," said director of sport Max Eberl.

"Nevertheless, Bayern are the best club side in the world, which is why even if we win this game, we won't get carried away and count ourselves as title candidates."

Germany international Christoph Kramer should be back for the home side after recovering from a stomach bug.

Bastian Schweinsteiger is back in training for Bayern, although a return to action is not planned just yet for the Germany captain.