Borussia Mönchengladbach's new signings made their debuts in style during Saturday's 6-0 win at Wuppertal. Head coach Eugen Polanski (40) handed six newcomers their first chance to shine in the Fohlen shirt – only Zento Uno (22) missed out due to injury, working on his recovery at the Borussia-Park instead.
How did the debutants perform?
Enzo Leopold (25) slotted into central midfield alongside Kevin Stöger (32). The former Hannover man impressed with his work rate, commitment and several accurate passes in a solid first half. Isac Lidberg (27), who arrived from Darmstadt, showed real presence and battled hard in duels. He didn't score himself, but his cross for Fritz Fleck (18) nearly turned into an own goal – the teenager just missed the target.
Daniel Batz (35) took over in goal after the break, replacing Moritz Nicolas (28). Despite a slight wobble under a cross, he looked composed with the ball at his feet. Right-back Yukhym Konoplia (27) brought energy and aggression in duels, though his cross sailed well behind the target. Jan Leszczynski (19) had little to do at centre-back but showed composure in possession, spraying passes with his left foot.
David Herold (23) played the full second half at left-back and covered every blade of grass. Unlike Lukas Ullrich (22), who was forced off after just three minutes with a head injury, Herold seized his chance to stake a claim.
Why these friendlies matter
The friendly against Regionalliga side Wuppertaler SV wasn't just about fitness – it was the first real audition for Polanski's new faces. Gladbach finished 14th in the 2025 Bundesliga table with 30 points from 29 games and a goal difference of -14. They sit 46 points behind leaders Bayern München, so every bit of preparation counts. The squad has already shipped 49 goals last term, so defensive stability will be key.
What's next?
Polanski will now dissect every detail of the newcomers' performances before finalising his starting XI. The fans will soon see how these players handle the rigours of Bundesliga football. The next competitive test comes on 2027-02-13 at FSV Mainz 05 – a side sitting ninth in the table.
Last season ended in frustration for Gladbach, but pre-season is about building momentum. The new arrivals have made a strong first impression – now they must push for a regular shirt.
