Marco Rose at Borussia Mönchengladbach: A Tactical Overview of the 2020-21 Season
After a successful stint with Red Bull Salzburg, Marco Rose brought his forward-thinking coaching approach back to Germany, taking over the reins at Borussia Mönchengladbach for the 2019-20 season. Building on his achievements, Rose has further burnished his reputation by keeping Gladbach firmly in the mix for European spots, demonstrating a strong win ratio and a dynamic playing style. With a move to Borussia Dortmund on the horizon, Rose’s tactical blueprint at Gladbach deserves a closer look, particularly given the shifts he orchestrated during the 2020-21 campaign.
Evolving the Team Structure: The 4-2-3-1 Formation
Marco Rose instituted a clear shift in the team’s tactical setup, transitioning from the previous 4-4-2 diamond or 4-3-1-2 formations favored by former manager Dieter Hecking to a more contemporary 4-2-3-1 shape. This adjustment brought greater emphasis on quick offensive transitions and leveraged the attacking prowess of the fullbacks.
Defensively, Swiss international Yann Sommer remained a cornerstone in goal, missing only one league match across two seasons. Matthias Ginter’s durability saw him as the only outfield player to feature in every minute of the current campaign, while his partnership with Nico Elvedi provided stability in the center. On the flanks, Stefan Lainer, a familiar face from Rose’s Salzburg days, held down the right back spot, while Ramy Bensebaini and veteran Oscar Wendt rotated on the left—though Bensebaini’s form increasingly made him first choice.
In midfield, the absence of Denis Zakaria due to injury impacted both Gladbach’s defensive resistance and ball progression. Christoph Kramer provided defensive ballast, often paired with the more creative Florian Neuhaus, whose forward runs and shooting threat added an extra dimension. Rotation in attacking midfield remained frequent, with Lars Stindl usually deployed as the team’s central creative hub. On the flanks, Patrick Herrmann and Marcus Thuram offered width and directness, while Alassane Plea led the line, at times supported by Thuram or Breel Embolo in a central role.
A key challenge for Gladbach this term was finding consistent scoring form. Although Thuram and Plea combined for 20 league goals in the previous season, their output dipped to only six goals midway through this campaign. As a result, Gladbach increasingly relied on Stindl for decisive contributions in front of goal.
Building from the Back: Approach and Player Roles
Even though Rose is known for favoring rapid transitions, his Gladbach side also emphasized building play from deep when the situation allowed. Only goalkeeper Sommer and center-back Ginter consistently opted for long passes; most attacking sequences started with the fullbacks, especially on the right side, where 39% of attacks were initiated.
The team often attacked through wide channels, with fullbacks pushing high up to provide options, while the central midfielders—especially Kramer and Neuhaus—dropped deep, forming a playing ‘square’ with the center-backs. This shape allowed for controlled progression through the thirds and opened space for wide players. When Rose chose to experiment with a back-three, the wing-backs’ influence increased, as they needed to provide both width and support to inverting forwards.
Coordinated Pressing: Defending High and Forcing Wide
Pressing remained a hallmark of Rose’s tactical philosophy. Unlike some pressing setups, Gladbach did not always force play into central congested areas. Instead, they sought to guide opponents toward the flanks where their structure—especially the fullbacks—could stifle build-up and immediately seek to win back possession. The pressing system was notably man-oriented, with the striker pressing the goalkeeper, wingers closing down the center-backs, and the attacking midfielder (often Stindl) picking up the opposition’s deepest midfielder.
The involvement extended beyond the front line; fullbacks regularly pressed their opposite numbers, while central midfielders tracked the runs of opposing midfielders. This coordinated pressing approach resulted in Gladbach ranking fifth in both possession and interceptions in the league, underlining their ability to quickly win the ball back and launch fresh attacks.
Transition Play: Speed and Fluidity After Winning Possession
True to the hallmark of Rose’s coaching ethos, Gladbach prioritized speed and verticality after regaining possession. By employing short, sharp forward passes or relying on midfield ball-carriers, they aimed to exploit defensive imbalances before the opposition could reset.
While dribbling and direct running had been more prominent in the prior season—thanks to the likes of Herrmann, Thuram, and Plea—the 2020-21 campaign saw more focus on quick, precise passing to transition from defense to attack. Interchange between the attacking quartet created unpredictability, with the striker often drifting wide to generate space centrally for midfield runners.
However, Gladbach’s transitional play was not primarily about scoring from counter-attacks, but about creating favorable attacking positions and stretching opponents. This demanded energetic ball-winning from midfield, a role that highlighted how much the team missed Zakaria’s recovery speed and physical presence. Neuhaus’s more creative qualities added a different flavor, but lacked the robust defensive output required in some high-tempo games.
Summary: The Rose Era Tactics and Their Impact
Despite some inconsistencies in the league and struggles to convert opportunities, Marco Rose’s Borussia Mönchengladbach left a strong impression with their proactive, modern football. The tactical focus on coordinated pressing, swift transitions, and proactive fullback play made Gladbach an exciting and unpredictable team. As Rose prepared for his next challenge with Borussia Dortmund, his legacy at Gladbach included both tactical innovation and a clear sense of identity—a foundation that could benefit his new club in seasons to come.
