FC Bayern and Borussia Mönchengladbach contest a milestone match on Saturday (Live in English from 18.30 CET on our ticker and FC Bayern TV PLUS Web Radio). The teams face off in Mönchengladbach for the 50th time, and the Bavarians were successful in Jupp Heynckes' home town in recent years. FC Bayern have won three of the last five matches away to Borussia, with one game ending in a draw. However, a look at the figures also reveals the matches have always been hard-fought.
Thrilling action in Mönchengladbach
Even if the recent history of the fixture favours FC Bayern, trips to the Lower Rhine have not always been a good omen for the men from Munich. Bayern have lost 19 matches away to Borussia, the highest number of defeats on the road equalled only by Werder Bremen. The German record champions have conceded more Bundesliga goals against the Foals than against any other team (121). However, Gladbach too lost more Bundesliga matches (47) and conceded more goals (184) against Bayern than against any other side.
Heynckes‘ old love
Bayern boss Jupp Heynckes will cross swoards against the club where he learned the trade both as player and as coach. Heynckes made 283 appearances wearing the Borussia kit, scoring 195 goals between 1965 and 1978, Gladbach's all-time top scorer in the Bundesliga. Heynckes has won four of their five championship titles with Gladbach (in 1971, 1975, 1976 and 1977), finishing runner-up twice (in 1974 and 1978). Heynckes also sealed the top scorer trophy in 1974, when he scored 30 goals, as did Gerd Müller, and in 1975, when he netted 27 times.
From Brussels to Gladbach
The Bavarians travelled to face RSC Anderlecht on Wednesday before crossing swords with Borussia on Saturday. The German record champions were in a similar situation in 1974. Bayern contested the 1974 European Cup final against Atlético Madrid in Brussels, drawing 1-1. They went on to win the replay 4-0 just two days later. They encountered Gladbach at the Bökelberg Stadium only one day later. Having already wrapped up the championship title, Bayern lost 5-0, none other than Jupp Heynckes bagging a brace. The visitors will surely have fresher legs this time.
Gräfe in charge
Manuel Gräfe will be the man with the whistle for Saturday's top clash. The referee from Berlin has officiated 41 competitive fixtures involving the Reds. Bayern have emerged victorious from 25 of them, losing nine and drawing seven matches. Gräfe most recently oversaw the 3-2 DFB Cup defeat to Borussia Dortmund in April 2017. His assistants will be Guido Kleve and Markus Sinn, with Tobias Reichel as fourth official and Dr Jochen Drees and Benedikt Kempkes acting as video assistants.
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