Borussia Monchengladbach vs FC Zurich preview - Sommer ready for huge group clash

Borussia Monchengladbach are going to pull out all stops and go for victory against FC Zurich in Thursday's Europa League final Group A match although a draw would be enough to see the German club progress in the competition.

Gladbach are top of the pool with a one-point advantage over Villarreal, who visit bottom-side Apollon.

Zurich are third in the standings, two points adrift of the leaders heading into the encounter in Germany.

"It's a huge final game for us," Gladbach goalkeeper Yann Sommer told borussia.de. "We still want to be in the competition next year and therefore we want to have the perfect qualification with our fans behind us."

Sommer insists his team wants to end the group stages on a high note.

"It's impossible to play for a draw," the Switzerland international said. "We'll play like we always do, to win, as we also want to win the group."

Gladbach, coached by former Zurich manager Lucien Favre, are unbeaten in the European competition.

They head into the contest having halted a three-match losing streak in the Bundesliga with Saturday's 3-2 home victory over Hertha Berlin.

Their sixth league win of the campaign lifted Gladbach to sixth in the standings.

Zurich have never won in Germany but will have to do so on Thursday if they are to continue their European adventure next year.

Urs Meier's side have lost their two Europa League away games this season and head into the contest on the back of last weekend's 2-1 defeat at FC Thun, their second loss in their last three Swiss Super League games.

Zurich are second in the domestic standings, eight points adrift of leaders Basle.

The visitors will not be at full strength with midfield pair Avraham Rikan and Gilles Yapi out along with forward Mario Gavranovic.

Favre will have all of his players available with the exception of midfielder Max Kruse, ruled out with an ankle injury.