Daniel Farke’s Tactical Transformation at Borussia Mönchengladbach: A 2022-23 Analysis
After a turbulent 2021-22 campaign under Adi Hütter, Borussia Mönchengladbach entered the new season with renewed vigor and tactical clarity. Under the leadership of Daniel Farke, the club has experienced one of its most impressive starts in years, showcasing both defensive solidity and attacking prowess. This article delves into Farke’s tactical changes, key player roles, and the unique strategies that have propelled the team’s resurgence.
A Return to Stability: Farke’s Impact and Early Results
Daniel Farke took over a squad in need of steady leadership and clear tactical guidance. Rather than overhauling the existing structure, he introduced measured tactical refinements that have paid significant dividends. In the opening seven Bundesliga matches, Mönchengladbach suffered only one loss, notching eye-catching results such as a commanding victory over Leipzig and credible draws against league heavyweights Bayern Munich and SC Freiburg.
The Foundation: Preferred Formation and Playing Style
Farke’s consistent use of the 4-2-3-1 formation has provided continuity and stability for the players. This familiar system allows for a blend of quick attacking transitions and possession-based build-up play, ensuring continuity with prior coaching regimes while providing a platform for subtle tactical upgrades. Maintaining this setup has allowed the team to refine tempo, movement, and offensive patterns without drastic change.
Defensive Cohesion and Key Players at the Back
Yann Sommer remains a cornerstone of the defensive structure. The Swiss international has delivered standout performances, highlighted by a Post-Shot Expected Goals differential (+5.1) and a remarkable 90.9% save rate—among the elite in Europe’s top leagues. With three clean sheets, Sommer’s reliability has been pivotal.
Ahead of him, the defense is anchored by left-back Ramy Bensebaini, now the defensive leader following Matthias Ginter’s departure. Bensebaini is complemented by Nico Elvedi at center-back and the emerging Joe Scally at right-back. Scally’s improvements in tackling and aerial duels (rising to a 56% tackle success rate and an 83% aerial win rate) have increased the unit’s resilience.
Ko Itakura, who joined to replace Ginter, started the season strongly, contributing ball progression from the back. Rotational options, including Marvin Friedrich and the versatile Christoph Kramer, provide depth and allow for tactical experimentation when needed.
Midfield Partnerships and Box-to-Box Drive
One of Farke’s most influential moves has been cementing the midfield partnership between Julian Weigl and Manu Koné. Weigl assumes the anchoring role, utilizing his positional intelligence and lateral coverage, often dropping between the center-backs during build-up. Koné, meanwhile, brings dynamism, dribbling strength, and box-to-box mobility. His improved decision-making on when to press forward empowers Gladbach to transition rapidly, making him central to both offense and defense.
Attacking Transitions and Creativity Going Forward
Mönchengladbach’s attack is designed around fluidity and speed during transitions. Central to this are Jonas Hofmann and Marcus Thuram—Gladbach’s primary outlets when launching attacks. Hofmann thrives at exploiting spaces, while Thuram’s move to the left flank has been instrumental, dovetailing with Florian Neuhaus’s shift into a central attacking role. Alassane Pléa contributes through incisive play between the lines, while Lars Stindl remains a creative threat when called upon.
The attack’s tendency to operate narrowly allows fullbacks Bensebaini and Scally to advance and stretch the pitch, delivering occasional crosses and supporting combination play. The emphasis, however, remains on rapid combinations and direct runs, rather than wide, high-volume crossing.
Build-up Patterns and Possession Structure
Gladbach’s methodical build-up from the back usually sees three players in a flat line, with either Weigl or sometimes Sommer joining to form a back three, providing numerical stability against the press. Koné often hovers ahead of the line, poised to break lines with dribbling. At times, a 2-4-4 shape emerges as midfielders drift wide, creating new passing lanes and freeing the attacking midfielders to exploit central spaces.
Flexibility is a hallmark: depending on the pressing scheme faced, Gladbach can build with a back three (using Sommer or a midfielder) or shift midfielders wide to stretch opponents. The team has shown an ability to break lines under pressure, enabling effective progression into the attacking third.
Attacking Principles: Directness and Efficiency
The team’s counter-attacking play is a defining feature. Thuram’s pace and power make him a constant threat on the break, while Hofmann and Stindl offer intelligent movement off the ball. Koné contributes an average of nearly six progressive carries per 90 minutes, highlighting how central midfielders are involved in fast transitions.
Despite their attacking intent, Gladbach’s cross volume remains among the lowest in the Bundesliga (13 per match), preferring to combine centrally through short, sharp passing. The team boasts the league’s second-highest passing accuracy (83.2%) and averages 54.4% possession, just behind Bayern Munich.
Thuram’s revitalization—matching last season’s goal tally early and increasing his assist count—exemplifies Farke’s success in improving attacking output.
Defensive Organization and Out-of-Possession Structure
Gladbach’s defensive record has markedly improved, with just five goals conceded in seven matches (0.73 per game). The collective effort in narrowing central areas and preventing clear-cut chances has been crucial. Farke’s team generally defends in a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 mid-block, adaptable to a 4-1-3-2 when pressing more aggressively. Koné’s mobility allows for close man-marking of threatening opposition midfielders, while Weigl often holds his position to shield the back line.
Fullbacks remain disciplined, engaging wide players only when necessary to prevent dangerous balls through the center. In transition, the work rate of midfielders like Koné and Bensebaini is critical to regaining defensive shape, especially given the center-backs’ lack of top-end pace. Sommer’s sweeper-keeper skills further enhance the team’s ability to cover space behind the back line.
Conclusion: A Revitalized Side Aiming Higher
Daniel Farke has skillfully combined inherited tactical foundations with his own innovations, quickly elevating Borussia Mönchengladbach’s competitiveness. The blend of attacking flair, structural discipline, and tactical flexibility has translated into consistent results and optimism for qualification for European football. As the new season progresses, Gladbach looks firmly positioned not just to compete, but to challenge for a UEFA Champions League spot.
