Borussia Monchengladbach’s Struggles Under Adi Hütter: A Tactical Breakdown
Borussia Monchengladbach entered the 2021-22 Bundesliga season determined to rebound from a disappointing eighth-place finish. The appointment of Adi Hütter, who had impressed at Eintracht Frankfurt, raised expectations of a return to Europe’s top competitions. Yet, as the season reached its halfway mark, Gladbach found themselves battling near the relegation zone, raising questions about tactics, squad fit, and management choices. This analysis explores the core issues behind Gladbach’s underperformance.
Adi Hütter’s Tactical Approach: Building on the 3-4-2-1 System
Adi Hütter’s tenure at Gladbach has mostly featured a 3-4-2-1 formation, a familiar setup from his previous success at Frankfurt. The system, which encourages attacking involvement from defenders like Matthias Ginter and Ramy Bensebaini, also looks to leverage the ball-winning ability of midfielders such as Denis Zakaria.
While the 3-4-2-1 can facilitate dynamic attacks and morph into a 3-2-5 structure in possession, it also presents inherent drawbacks:
– The shape deploys three attacking players instead of the four found in the more traditional 4-2-3-1, limiting options in the final third.
– Gladbach’s approach favors swift, direct attacking through central channels—31% of their attacks—rather than prolonged possession and wing play.
– The wing-backs, essential in a 3-4-2-1 to provide width and crosses, often arrive too late in attack.
– This vertical style makes Gladbach vulnerable on the break, as turnovers find the wing-backs out of position and the center-backs exposed.
Statistically, their low average of just 14 crosses per game—worst in the Bundesliga—highlights their inability to utilize width effectively. Despite being the most fouled team in the league (13.6 fouls won per game), Gladbach rarely capitalize on these set pieces to generate real chances.
Personnel Gaps and Systemic Challenges
One of the main stumbling blocks for Hütter’s system has been the lack of experienced wing-backs.
– Joe Scally, a promising 18-year-old American, was thrust into a starting role in his rookie German season.
– Luca Netz, also 18, has frequently featured on the opposite side.
While both are talented prospects, neither possesses the experience or tactical understanding to consistently provide attacking thrust and defensive solidity required in wide roles—positions integral to the 3-4-2-1 structure.
Historically, successful 3-4-2-1 setups—for example, Antonio Conte’s Chelsea—have relied on seasoned, dynamic wing-backs. Gladbach’s inexperience in these positions has contributed to defensive frailty, with many goals conceded originating from wide areas where center-backs lack adequate cover and aerial dominance.
Switching Systems: The 4-2-3-1 as a Secondary Option
In search of better results, Hütter has frequently turned to the 4-2-3-1 formation, a system used under former manager Marco Rose. This shape provides more traditional width and supports quicker vertical transitions in attack. However, it comes with its own set of issues:
– Gladbach’s pressing structure in the 4-2-3-1 has been unbalanced. Frequently, a winger joins the central striker in closing down opposite defenders, leaving the team vulnerable on the flanks.
– This pressing often results in a lopsided 4-2-2-2 shape, creating space for opposition full-backs to exploit and overloading Gladbach’s defensive line.
Further, none of Gladbach’s primary defenders are recognized for their pace or aerial ability. Only Denis Zakaria has registered a top speed above 35 km/h among his teammates, highlighting a lack of recovery speed across the back line. Without protection from fast, tactically astute defenders, the 4-2-3-1 fails to rectify Gladbach’s transition weaknesses.
The defensive consequences have been significant—after 17 matches, Gladbach had already conceded 32 goals, ranking them among the league’s poorest backlines.
Key Tactical Flaws in Both Formations
The difficulties in both the 3-4-2-1 and 4-2-3-1 manifest in several recurring tactical weaknesses:
- Lack of attacking width: Wing-backs (3-4-2-1) and wingers (4-2-3-1) aren’t providing sustained offensive support, limiting crossing and stretching of defenses.
- Poor transitional defense: Turnovers often leave Gladbach exposed, as players are positioned too high to recover successfully.
- Pressing vulnerabilities: Ball-oriented pressing has led to gaps and disrupted the defensive shape, making the team easy to bypass in wide areas.
- Insufficient experience in key roles: Relying on young full-backs and wing-backs has contributed to ongoing inconsistency on both flanks.
Outlook for Adi Hütter and Borussia Monchengladbach
As the campaign reached its midpoint, Borussia Monchengladbach’s performance under Hütter had not met expectations in either of the two primary formations. The team’s struggles reflect both tactical rigidity and a mismatch between squad strengths and chosen systems. While club leadership has remained patient, continuing poor results could force decisive action regarding the manager’s future.
To reverse their fortunes, Gladbach would need to:
– Reassess squad roles to play to the strengths of available personnel.
– Address defensive vulnerabilities, particularly in wide areas and on transitions.
– Develop tactical flexibility and pressing strategies that protect against being outnumbered in key zones.
The situation serves as a cautionary tale on the importance of aligning managerial philosophy with player profiles for sustainable success at the top level of football.
