Koln vs Monchengladbach preview - Gladbach await 'match of the year'

Posted Saturday, September 20, 2014 by PA

When Cologne were promoted back to the Bundesliga in May, one of the first thoughts of many fans was when they would get to see the Rhine area derby again.

When the fixtures were published, that was the first one fans of both Cologne and Borussia Monchengladbach were looking for, and it takes place this Sunday at the Mungersdorferstadion.

"I think this is the match of the year," said Gladbach winger Patrick Herrmann. "It's going to be a really heated battle, but we haven't lost a game yet this season and that's the way it should remain."

Cologne have not lost yet either while their goalkeeper Timo Horn has yet to concede in the first three matches.

"It's about time Timo conceded his first goal," said Herrmann's team-mate Granit Xhaka. "On Sunday, he's going to have to start picking balls out of the back of his net."

For the Swiss midfielder, Sunday will be his first involvement in a Rhine area derby and he is looking forward to it.

"The lads have told me so much about this game and I can't wait," he said. "I've played in other derbies before, but Cologne against Gladbach is something else."

It goes without saying that the stadium will be a sell-out, with just shy of 50,000 fans heading to the 81st meeting between the two local rivals.

"We can hardly wait," said Cologne coach Peter Stoger at a press conference. "The atmosphere within the team is good and you can't see any real tension among them.

"We know how much this game means and we know also that we can pick up plenty of bonus points from our fans and in the city."

Gladbach coach Lucien Favre was happy to report on Friday that he had a fully fit squad to choose from while Stoger can also send his strongest side into action.