25.02.2010

Faith in strengths

Next up for Borussia (11th place with 29 points) are SC Freiburg (15th place with 19 points. But at today's press conference Michael Frontzeck issued the following warning: "We can't afford to give an inch."

Borussia have enough reasons to be wary of the visitors on Saturday. "Though we shouldn't make them out to be better than they are either", the Gladbach coach said.

Reason one: "Freiburg have collected 13 of their 19 points away from home," Frontzeck explained. "They're a strong counter-attacking side with fast forward players and they switch quickly from defence to attack."

Reason two: "Freiburg have got their backs to the wall and they'll do everything they can to take something from the BORUSSIA PARK. They'll battle hard for the points. So it could be tough going for us and we'll need to be patient – as we were against Nürnberg."

And reason three: the reverse fixture. On 27 September last year Borussia slipped to their highest defeat of the season (3-0) in what was one of their worst performances this term.

But Frontzeck is pleased that his team have found an organisation and shape that suits them irrespective of who they are playing. "It's good that we don't have to keep readjusting," he said. "We know where our strengths lie and we have faith in them. The players have developed a controlled way of playing, but without neglecting to create chances."

Borussia, and in particular their coach, have come in for repeated praise in recent weeks for the way they have performed so far this season, which prompted Frontzeck to say this: "I know how fast-moving this business is. It's nice to note that our work is being recognised, but I also know that the tenor of the reporting can change very quickly."

The Borussia boss will again be without Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker, Gal Alberman and Christian Dorda on Saturday (1530 CET), while Thorben Marx remains sidelined with osteitis pubis.