Borussia Mönchengladbach coach Jan Polanski has issued a clear message to the club's young players. According to a report by Bild on Tuesday, the head coach demanded more fight and self-confidence from the talents to establish themselves in the senior squad.
Polanski made the comments in preparation for the next league match. Gladbach started the season with a defeat and sits in 16th place in the Bundesliga after one game. The team has zero points, has scored no goals and conceded three. The next match is on September 12th away at current second-placed side SC Freiburg. The full schedule can be viewed on the fixtures page.
What does Polanski expect from the youngsters?
The coach stressed that young players need to be more of a nuisance to the coaches and established pros in daily training. "They need to demand more, show themselves more," Polanski was quoted by Bild as saying. Talent alone is not enough. The step up to the first team requires a different mental strength and the willingness to prove oneself every day. This attitude is important for the further development of the entire team, which currently trails leaders Bayern Munich by three points.
What is the current situation in the squad?
The message comes at a time when Gladbach is under pressure after the poor season start. The defense was vulnerable in the first match, reflected in the negative goal difference of minus three. Polanski is looking for solutions and impulses from the club's own youth. The full squad list shows which young players are currently part of the senior team. Some of them have already had training minutes with the pros during pre-season but now need to assert themselves in competitive action.
What role does the youth play for the future?
Developing homegrown talent is a central part of Borussia Mönchengladbach's club philosophy. Polanski wants to continue this tradition but makes it clear that the transition needs to be tougher. Young players shouldn't just wait for opportunities but actively demand them. This approach is meant to increase competition in training and ultimately boost the performance of the whole team. The current league situation can be examined in detail in the standings.
The next opportunity for the youngsters to prove themselves is the away match at SC Freiburg on September 12, 2026.
