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| WINNER: Gladbach top scorer Lars Stindl helps his team to victory |
German heavyweights Schalke 04 and Borussia Monchengladbach meet tonight in the Europa League round of 16.
Both sides are having under-par seasons in the Bundesliga but still have to be considered major threats in knockout competition.
Gladbach travel to Schalke on the back of a mini revival in domestic terms - with four wins in their last five - including a 4-2 victory over tonight's opposition last weekend.
Manager Dieter Hecking - in charge since January and overseeing consistent improvement in his team's fortunes - will be without the suspended Christoph Kramer.
Having again being drawn into a tough Champion's League group, Monchengladbach improved on last season and avoided finishing last to qualify for the final 32 of this competition, where they knocked out Fiorentina despite losing the first leg at home 1-0.
Top scorer Lars Stindl scored an impressive hat trick in that second leg victory, and almost half of his tally so far this season have come since the winter break.
The hosts meanwhile have only won one in the same time frame and while they have quality, they remain only four points above the relegation playoff places.
S04 made light work of their Europa League group, picking up 15 points from 18, only losing their last game against Red Bull Salzburg having already long qualified. They then eliminated PAOK of Greece in the first knockout round.
Their performances in Europe have been the highlight of a poor season to date, littered with inconsistency that shouldn't afflict a team including Benedikt Howedes, Coke and Matija Nastasic. Creditable results (victory over Herta Berlin, an away draw at Bayern Munich) are often followed by defeat.
With teams like Roma, Lyon, Manchester United and Besiktas still involved, both these German giants know tough challenges still await the winner in the next round.
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| LOOKING FOR IMPROVEMENT: Schalke captain Benedikt Howedes |
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