Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Monchengladbach lock horns in a top-of-the-table clash in the Bundesliga on Friday night.
The hosts can extend their lead over the visitors to nine points with a win and also help Bayern Munich leapfrog above Monchengladbach and into second position.
Dortmund tasted their first defeat in the league last week after they went down 2-1 away against Fortuna Dusseldorf. Gladbach meanwhile have had a brilliant start to their season and should have more points on the board for the quality they have shown.
We take a look at some of the key players who could decide the outcome of the game at Westfalenstadion.
Marco Reus
Reus has been Dortmund’s best player of the season and has the quality to turn the game in favour of his team instantly. The midfielder, who can also function as a winger or a second striker, has already scored 10 goals and provided five assists this season.
The German international’s link-up with Jadon Sancho will be crucial for the hosts. Lucian Favre’s system is built on slow and patient build-up before exploding into life in the final third. Reus’s knack of pressing the accelerator at the right time can really threaten Gladbach’s backline.
Reus will be looking to operate between the lines and cause all sorts of problems for Gladbach’s centre-back pairing of Louis Beyer and Nico Elvedi. The 29-year-old is just as potent at conjuring chances for Paco Alcacer as he is at pulling the trigger himself.
Thorgan Hazard
The Belgian has had a breakout season with the Foals and will be looking to wear the protagonist’s mask in Friday’s crucial tie. The attacking midfielder can also function as a winger and his versatility has been really beneficial to Gladbach.
The Foals can credit the successful start to their season to the fact that head coach Dieter Hecking has built the team around Hazard and he has not disappointed. The La Louvière native will be looking to add to his tally of nine goals and six assists as he takes on the table-toppers.
The 19-year-old offers a lot of options in the final third. He is lucid and creative with his passes, can provide wide options or even cut inside to have a go at goal himself.
Jadon Sancho
Jadon Sancho has been a revelation for Dortmund this season, popping up with key final third passes whenever required. The versatile Englishman can play on either flanks and in the centre, but he prefers to operate on the right wing.
The youngster has seven assists to go with his five goals this term and offers a lot to the attack. Oscar Wendt will find Sancho’s dribbling, swift movements, impressive ball control and link-up with Reus extremely hard to deal with.
The 18-year-old is mature for his age and – apart from being a key player for Friday’s clash – is also touted to be one of the best players in world football in the future.
