Keep scoring, urge Gladbach

– Borussia Moenchengladbach are hoping captain Lars Stindl’s stellar goal run continues when they look to continue their Bundesliga recovery today in the first of three meetings this month with Schalke 04.

The German rivals, both having underperformed this season, will also clash in Europa League last-16 ties on March 9 and 16.

With eight goals in his last eight games across all competitions, 28-year-old forward Stindl has rekindled Gladbach’s hopes of a European spot after a bad run until the winter break saw them hovering near the relegation zone.

“I am very effective at the moment,” Stindl, a former German youth international, said after scoring a penalty in their 2-1 victory over Hamburg SV on Wednesday that sent them through to the German Cup semifinals.

“I am just happy it’s going so well and I know I have my share of missed chances this season,” added Stindl (above), who has netted seven times in the league.

“I always try to deliver and score goals that team-mates set up for me. At the moment it is working and I am happy with that.”

Stindl, who also grabbed a hattrick in their Europa League win over Fiorentina last month, will need to keep on scoring to make the season a success.

Gladbach, Champions League contenders at the start of the season, crashed out in the group stage and slipped down to 14th in the Bundesliga before the departure of coach Andre Schubert, who was replaced by Dieter Hecking.

They are now back up to 10th on 29 points, five off seventh spot which leads to the Europa League qualifying rounds.

Gladbach have also won seven of their last eight home matches against Schalke. – Reuters

Munich