Taking all factors into account across the board, the Bundesliga team of the year just has to be Monchengladbach. Borussia’s form tailed off a little toward the end of the season, but that’s not too surprising considering the standards they’d set themselves. However, they were challenging for the league leadership at one stage during which time they had some notable victories over some of the top sides in the league. It was indeed quite a turnaround to suddenly be challenging for the honours after years of fighting the inevitable prospect of relegation one season after another. Unlikely teams take leagues by storm from time to time, but the outstanding aspect of Gladbach’s sudden surge to the fore was that it was achieved through the quality of their attacking football. Young Marco Reus became a revelation and the target of some of the most fashionable clubs in football. He wasn’t alone though. There were others who helped put Gladbach on the map again. Mike Hanke became one of the most feared strikers in football. Previously unheard of, names such as Herman and Arango became household names even outside the city of Monchengladbach. Ter Stegen turned into one of the league’s best goalkeepers. All in all, it was an outstanding feat produced with the help of some remarkable coaching by team boss Favre that led to their great success. Things won’t be quite the same next season despite the fact they could be in for Champions League football. They cannot be, as Marco Reus is departing for Dortmund with some of his team mates also on their way to pastures new. Whatever happens, it’s unlikely that Monchengladbach will be back to their habitual position in the bottom group.
