Monchengladbach vs Manchester City - Schubert: We've shown we belong

Posted Wednesday, November 23, 2016 by PA

Coach Andre Schubert believes Borussia Monchengladbach have proved they belong at Champions League level - but accepts Europa League qualification may now be their aim.

The Borussia coach acknowledges his side have their work cut out to progress in the elite competition as they prepare to host Manchester City in their penultimate Group C game on Wednesday night.

The Germans need to beat City at Borussia Park to retain realistic hope of progressing - and even then would be reliant on other results - but a draw would ensure a tilt at the Europa League.

Schubert, whose side were beaten 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium in September, said: "We're not going to try and pull something extraordinary out of the hat. It's about looking to contain Man City as best we can. We're focusing on our strengths and how we can seize our opportunity.

"We are playing against one of the best teams, with the potential to get to the semi-finals or the final of the Champions League. We're huge underdogs going into this game, we're aware of that.

"However, I remember people saying after last season's 3-0 defeat to Sevilla that Borussia Monchengladbach didn't belong anywhere near the Champions League. Now I think people see us at a similar level to them.

"We've had some very difficult games in the group, and none of them have been clear cut.

"We are trying to (reach) winter at a good level and play in the Europa League - that is our aim."

Borussia have endured a difficult start to the season and are 14th in the Bundesliga, while they have won just one from four in a Champions League group that also includes Barcelona and Celtic.

City by contrast have produced some superb performances under new manager Pep Guardiola and were particularly impressive as they beat Barca in their last Champions League outing.

"That result in Manchester was not so surprising for me," said Schubert, whose team beat a Bayern Munich side then managed by Guardiola last December.

"They are both among the best teams in Europe. 'They have increased their pressing to a really high level and they almost do that all match long.

"Pep Guardiola has put his stamp on Manchester City already. Of course you need great individual quality to play in his system but City have that in abundance."

Meanwhile, City arrived in Germany without captain Vincent Kompany, who faces another spell on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Kompany was substituted after a collision with goalkeeper Claudio Bravo during the first half of Saturday's Premier League victory at Crystal Palace.

The 30-year-old suffered a concussion in the clash but Guardiola has confirmed that the knee injury sustained in the same incident is now of greater concern.

"He is injured, he will be out for the next weeks," said Guardiola at a press conference in Dusseldorf ahead of Wednesday's tie.

It is Kompany's 35th separate injury problem since he joined the club in 2008 and the third to have affected him this season.

He missed the start of the campaign with a thigh problem picked up against Real Madrid in May and then suffered a groin injury on his comeback at Swansea in September.

Since then he has been trying to ease himself back into action but this latest injury in only his fifth appearance of the season is yet another unfortunate setback.

Guardiola said: "Fortunately there is nothing wrong with the head but the real problem is with the knee. He could be out for weeks. He is sad and I am sad because it is a long time he doesn't play."

Yaya Toure, who scored twice against Palace on his return to the side, is ineligible for the game in Germany, while fellow midfielder Fabian Delph has been training as he steps up his comeback from a groin operation.