Gladbach’s Hack makes his comeback against Lierse

Soccereco, Staff Writer

Published: 02:24, 11 Nov 2025

Borussia’s attack has recently gained significantly in firepower. Another option for the offensive is already waiting in the wings.

Robin Hack’s long road back to competitive action is entering its decisive phase, even if the derby against 1. FC Köln came too early for the winger.

Forced to watch Borussia Mönchengladbach’s 3-1 win from high in the stands, Hack is now focused squarely on using the international break to complete his recovery and reclaim his role in Eugen Polanski’s attacking plans.

The 25-year-old, who had been one of Gladbach’s most dynamic and goal dangerous players before his injury, returned to full team training last week for the first time since undergoing surgery on his right knee in September to repair a medial meniscus tear. His reappearance on the training pitch generated optimism, but Polanski opted for caution. With Hack having just a single week of preparation under his belt, the coaching staff felt that rushing him into a high intensity derby environment carried unnecessary risk.

Polanski was transparent in his assessment: the probability of Hack featuring in the derby was “really very, very small.” He added that after internal discussions, the staff concluded there was “little sense” in assigning him a place on the bench simply for symbolic reasons. In a season where Borussia’s attack has recently surged, scoring ten goals across three straight competitive victories, Polanski is keen to reintegrate Hack carefully to preserve his long term contribution.

That reintegration will begin in earnest during the international break. Hack has not played a competitive fixture since Matchday 3, when Gladbach suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to Werder Bremen. The winger’s absence has been felt at times, especially in phases of play requiring direct speed, sharp dribbling, and quick attacking transitions. The upcoming friendly against K. Lierse SK therefore arrives at the perfect moment.

Scheduled for Thursday at 13:00 on the Fohlenplatz at Borussia-Park, the match will offer Hack his first controlled competitive minutes in nearly three months. The coaching staff’s plan is for him to establish rhythm, test his physical responses under match conditions, and position himself for a return to Bundesliga action after the break. Lierse SK, a Belgian second division club known for its structured defensive shape, is expected to provide a balanced but manageable test environment.

Gladbach will approach the friendly with a heavily rotated squad. Eleven first team players are absent due to international duty, forcing Polanski to draw upon reinforcements from the club’s U21 and U19 setups. Among those unavailable are several key contributors: Nico Elvedi (Switzerland), Joe Scally and Giovanni Reyna (USA), Shuto Machino (Japan), Haris Tabakovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Jens Castrop (South Korea), Grant-Leon Ranos (Armenia), Tiago Pereira Cardoso (Luxembourg), as well as promising German youth internationals Lukas Ullrich (U21), Niklas Swider (U19), and Wael Mohya (U18).

This shortage gives the friendly an added developmental dimension. Young talents will have the chance to impress the coaching staff in an environment that allows for experimentation, positional testing, and tactical refinement without the immediate pressures of Bundesliga competition.

Two players who will not feature are Tim Kleindienst and Fabio Chiarodia. Kleindienst is still progressing through a long term rehabilitation program following his knee operation in May, while Chiarodia remains sidelined with a torn muscle bundle in his right thigh. Neither is expected to return imminently.

Meanwhile, midfielder Rocco Reitz is fully expected to take part in the match. Reitz became a father for the first time last week and was granted special leave on Monday, a gesture by the club acknowledging the life changing milestone. Despite the brief absence, he remains an important component of the midfield unit and will look to maintain his rhythm during the break.

For Borussia Mönchengladbach, the path ahead is clear: maintain momentum, integrate returning players smoothly, and prepare for the resumption of Bundesliga action. Their next league match is an away fixture at 1. FC Heidenheim on Saturday, 22 November at 15:30, a game that will test whether their recent improvements in efficiency, structure, and attacking threat can translate into continued upward movement in the table.

For Robin Hack, the focus is more personal and more immediate: get through the friendly healthy, regain confidence, and reclaim his role in a reinvigorated Borussia attack.