Bundesliga Preview: Mainz vs Monchengladbach
Mainz (city in Germany)
A team in the lower middle of the table has suffered three consecutive losses at home recently, facing Leipzig with pride, yet it seems a bit surprising that they were not spared against opponents like Heidenheim and Bremen, who are also positioned in the lower middle of the table. The team's defense has been porous in recent home games, conceding at least two goals in each game, which is worrying. Despite adopting the three center-back system, the wingbacks' limited defensive ability makes it easy for the opponents' wingers to make easy passes. Compared to the away low defense, the home Mainz more inclined to proactive style of play, but often in the mid-field conduction penetration has not yet broken the deadlock, was the opponent to release the long pass behind the ball or high pressure to grab the counter-attack opportunity, easily by the opponent through the defense line.
Mainz mainly use 3421 formation, back partner Sano Kai Zhou and Amiri defensive blocking ability is OK, but the ability to pass the threatening ball is limited, more and the center back of the return safety ball. Attacking end is too delicate, the back is not often forward pressure to participate in the attack, the team in the opponent's penalty area, the number of attack is relatively small, it is difficult to dispatch the opponent drop defense. The wingbacks are more formulaic in their downward passes, and the inside forward Lee Jae-sung and others rely more on their individual ability to break through in the ribs, which is often cleared by the opponent's defense in place.
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Recently, the team has been on a winning streak at home, with no draws in the first seven matches, and a relatively aggressive style of play. Facing the upper-middle teams such as Leverkusen, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, etc. failed to win, but in the face of most of the middle and lower reaches of the team, the field control is full, the possession rate is basically in the 60% or more, the middle and back field ground out of the ball and the side defenders, the wingers of the cooperation is quite sharp. In the 7 league games of the new season, Monchengladbach was only shut out by Frankfurt on the road, and scored in the remaining 6 games, the offense is in excellent shape.
Mönchengladbach mainly adopts a 4231 formation, with a decent ability to get the ball out of the ground in the center and backfield, which is the foundation left by Schüttel. The current manager, Sevane, coached Leverkusen in the 21-22 season and ended up in third place, and although he coached Monchengladbach last season and ended up in the bottom five, the management still trusts him. The team's defense was poor last season, but the offensive end was second only to the top eight teams in the Europa League. In the new season, Monchengladbach's style of play is more pragmatic, reducing the number of passes in the midfield and backfield, and the long passes and transfers of the side defenders are not bad, while the long passes over the top of the side road and the fast forward insertion are very effective.
Mainz's away performance is better than home, away from home, more use of low-position defense, fullbacks long pass transfer after the set on the wingback or winger to attract opponents in the center back, the inside forward diagonal running into the gap behind, counterattack simple and clear. However, at home, Mainz's possession rate and the number of dangerous attacks are not superior, the positional battle opponents side and rib passing and cutting is too complicated, and the goal kick also lacks of fire. Although Monchengladbach didn't have a great start to the season, the team is currently ranked fairly well considering they've played a lot of upper-middle European teams. In the last two home games against the lower-middle level teams, Monchengladbach completely dominated the upper hand, the side of the direct and downward passes frequently, give full play to the center forward Klein Dienst's high center pivot role, corners and other set-pieces have scored goals. Currently, Monchengladbach has a clear advantage over Mainz, which is weak in possession and organization at home.
Prediction Pick: Monchengladbach Undefeated
