Borussia Mönchengladbach head coach Alexander Blessin has closed all team training sessions to the public ahead of the club’s upcoming Bundesliga fixture, ending fan access to ongoing rehabilitation and tactical drills at the Borussia-Park. The decision arrives as the club sits at the bottom of the Bundesliga table with zero points and six goals scored against 16 conceded through the opening four matches of the 58-year league history, marking their worst start ever.
Club Cancels Public Visiting Hours for Training Sessions
Supporters hoping to watch training sessions this week found all visiting hours cancelled as the team prepares under stricter privacy. According to the official schedule released by the club, Wednesday’s sessions at 10:30 local time and 15:30 local time, Thursday’s 10:30 session, Friday’s 10:30 session, and Saturday’s 14:30 session are all closed to the public.
Despite rumors suggesting otherwise, Sunday’s away fixture against 1. FC Köln remains open to spectators.
Blessin Adopts 3-4-3 Formation After Series of Losses
Blessin took over the managerial reins following the dismissal of Eugen Polanski and a subsequent interim stint by Jan-Moritz Lichte. Under Polanski, Mönchengladbach dropped matches to RB Leipzig (0–3), SV Elversberg (3–4), and SC Freiburg (0–5), before falling 3–4 at home to Mainz 05 under Lichte.
During two recent test fixtures—a 3–0 win over fourth-tier side Sportfreunde Siegen and a 1–1 draw with 2. Bundesliga club FC St. Pauli—Blessin deployed a 3-4-3 formation. Following the St. Pauli match, the manager criticized defensive lapses, pointing to sluggish reactions during transitions. Blessin has demanded higher intensity, better duels, and sharper defensive coverage from a squad that has struggled to secure points.
Squad Management and Injury Integration
The new coach has indicated that veteran midfielder Florian Neuhaus will receive an opportunity to re-establish himself, stating that no player will be discarded. Similar assurances were given to team captain Tim Kleindienst, whose recent public remarks regarding the squad’s performance drew scrutiny. Blessin is also working to integrate previously injured additions including Daiki Hashioka, Jan Leszczynski, and Juchym Konoplja into the tactical setup.
Offensive flexibility remains a primary talking point for the coaching staff, with Kleindienst, Isac Lidberg, Franck Honorat, Robin Hack, and Shuto Machino competing for attacking roles. The upcoming Rhein-Derby against 1. FC Köln on Sunday will serve as Blessin’s first official Bundesliga match in charge of the club.
