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Bradley Confident Of M’gladbach Safety
It has been a tough first season in the Bundesliga for Borussia Monchengladbach, but their talented American midfielder thinks they have what it takes to avoid relegation.
Apr 22, 2009 8:51:59 PM
U.S. International midfielder Michael Bradley has enjoyed a successful first season in Germany with his new club Borussia Monchengladbach. Unfortunately the team as a whole haven’t.
Through 28 matches, M’gladbach have only managed 23 points and currently are one of the three teams in the relegation zone, given their position in 16th. Bradley realizes the position his club is in, and knows things would certainly look better if they are able to beat 15th place Arminia Biefield on Sunday.
"There is no point in wondering about it. It comes as it comes,” said Bradley in an interview with German soccer website, TorFabrik. “The only thing that matters at the moment is the game on Sunday against Bielefeld."
The 21-year-old has played in 22 matches for M’gladbach this season, netting five goals in the process and with six matches left to stay in the first division, Bradley made it clear it’s not about individual performances, but how the whole team plays.
"Towards the end of the season, it is important that everyone raises his level even more, that we concentrate even more," said Bradley of what his team needs to do. "The combination of all the factors must be right. In this league, the differences are very small on any given day, everything has to fit. We have to concentrate on the ball, in front of the goal, good defense, winning both battles. The confidence is there, and we will use that against Bielefeld."
M’gladbach haven’t had an easy time in the Bundesliga since getting promoted last season, and have found themselves at the bottom of the table with a goal differential of -19 that is suited to their place. Bradley’s confidence in his team and what they’re capable of has made it easy to overlook those unimpressive statistics.
"Despite the ups and downs in our results, we still have plenty of confidence in our ability,” said Bradley of his team’s mental toughness. “We can, in the upcoming important and hard-to-win games, play well enough to stay in the Bundesliga."
The Princeton, New Jersey native is a stalwart in the U.S. Men’s National team having made 28 appearances for his country, scoring five goals in the process.
Shane Evans, Goal.com
Through 28 matches, M’gladbach have only managed 23 points and currently are one of the three teams in the relegation zone, given their position in 16th. Bradley realizes the position his club is in, and knows things would certainly look better if they are able to beat 15th place Arminia Biefield on Sunday.
"There is no point in wondering about it. It comes as it comes,” said Bradley in an interview with German soccer website, TorFabrik. “The only thing that matters at the moment is the game on Sunday against Bielefeld."
The 21-year-old has played in 22 matches for M’gladbach this season, netting five goals in the process and with six matches left to stay in the first division, Bradley made it clear it’s not about individual performances, but how the whole team plays.
"Towards the end of the season, it is important that everyone raises his level even more, that we concentrate even more," said Bradley of what his team needs to do. "The combination of all the factors must be right. In this league, the differences are very small on any given day, everything has to fit. We have to concentrate on the ball, in front of the goal, good defense, winning both battles. The confidence is there, and we will use that against Bielefeld."
M’gladbach haven’t had an easy time in the Bundesliga since getting promoted last season, and have found themselves at the bottom of the table with a goal differential of -19 that is suited to their place. Bradley’s confidence in his team and what they’re capable of has made it easy to overlook those unimpressive statistics.
"Despite the ups and downs in our results, we still have plenty of confidence in our ability,” said Bradley of his team’s mental toughness. “We can, in the upcoming important and hard-to-win games, play well enough to stay in the Bundesliga."
The Princeton, New Jersey native is a stalwart in the U.S. Men’s National team having made 28 appearances for his country, scoring five goals in the process.
Shane Evans, Goal.com
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