Villarreal vs Monchengladbach preview - Gabriel wary of Gladbach threat
Posted Wednesday, November 26, 2014 by PA
Villarreal defender Gabriel Paulista hopes his team can make home advantage count when they welcome Borussia Monchengladbach in the Europa League at El Madrigal stadium on Thursday.
Both teams head into the contest in Valencia needing a win to seal a place in the round of 32.
Monchengladbach are unbeaten and lead Group A by a one-point advantage over Villarreal with two games remaining.
The Spanish outfit are three points clear of third-placed Zurich, who host Apollon in the other group game.
"We are playing at home and we must win because we want to progress and finish top of our group," Gabriel told www.villarrealfc.es. "We are fully focused on winning this game.
"We are aware it will not be easy because Thursday's rivals play good football and are dangerous.
"We expect an open game."
The Valencian outfit held Borussia to a 1-1 draw on matchday one and will fancy their chances of taking three points.
Villarreal have won all three of their European games at El Madrigal this season as part of their 11-match winning run at home in the Europa League.
Moreover, Marcelino's men head into the contest on the back of Sunday's 2-1 home triumph over Getafe.
The outcome halted a four-match winless run in the Primera Division and lifted them to eighth in the standings.
"We were under pressure to win," Gabriel said. "We really needed it and now we can look ahead with optimism."
Monchengladbach are unbeaten in the competition but they have failed to come out triumphant in their last two encounters on Spanish soil.
Lucien Favre's side stand third in the Bundesliga but head into the contest on the back of last weekend's 3-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt.
The outcome was their second straight loss in the league.
The visitors will be without midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud, sidelined with a thigh problem.
Photos
More»
[PICTURE SPECIAL] Arsenal 5-0 Chelsea
Wednesday April 24 2024
Marcos Llorente’s wife wows in barely there swimsuit
Wednesday April 24 2024
Your Say