Manu Koné expects an intense game at VfL Bochum on Saturday. The Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder raves about the crowd at the Ruhrstadion.
Borussia Mönchengladbach can rely on Manu Koné again. Last weekend, the midfielder made his comeback in the Bundesliga match against RB Leipzig (0:1). “At the beginning of the game it was a bit difficult for me. But as the game went on I improved and luckily I was able to find my second air,” said the 22-year-old Frenchman. “It was okay. But I also know that I’m not at 100 per cent yet.”
Due to a knee injury sustained at the European Under-21 Championship in June, the most expensive player in the Gladbach squad, with a current market value of around 40 million euros, had to take a break for almost three months. Against Leipzig, he was directly in the starting eleven at the eight position. Koné still misses “the power and spryness. But I will do everything in strength training and during the sessions on the pitch to get back my usual routines as quickly as possible so that I am back at 100 per cent as soon as possible.”
His team managed to earn only two points in their first five games. “We were all aware that it was going to be a very complicated start to the season for us,” said Koné. “Especially the home games against Leverkusen, FC Bayern and RB Leipzig were tough.” Gladbach lost all three games at Borussia-Park, playing to draws in Augsburg and Darmstadt respectively. On Saturday (3.30pm/Sky), coach Gerardo Seoane’s team will face VfL Bochum, who most recently went down 7-0 at FC Bayern Munich.
The Revierklub is also still waiting for its first win of the season. Koné nevertheless shows great respect for the hosts: “Bochum have a special style of play. We know them and know that it’s not easy to play there. We will have to run a lot and win the duels. In addition, Koné adds, “there is always a very special atmosphere at the Ruhrstadion. The Bochum crowd is great and they put a lot of energy into it. It feels a bit like they play their home games with twelve players.”
Last season, Gladbach lost 1-2 there and coach Thomas Letsch’s Bochum side, with their high pressing style of play, are likely to be a difficult opponent this time as well. “To beat them,” Koné emphasises, “you have to be hungrier than them. “