CLUB SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Club | Borussia Mönchengladbach |
| League | Bundesliga |
| Manager | Alexander Blessin |
| Stadium | ista-Borussia-Park |
| Nickname | Die Fohlen |
| Founded | 1900 |
| First-Choice Centre-Back | Kevin Diks |
| Centre-Back Partner | Ko Itakura |
| First-Choice Left-Back | Lukas Ullrich |
| First-Choice Right-Back | Joe Scally |
| Summer Signing | Yukhym Konoplya (free from Shakhtar) |
| Notable Absence | None significant |
The Defining Moment
Gladbach’s 2026/27 defensive story is defined by a collapse so complete that it has dragged the club to the bottom of the Bundesliga. The Foals have conceded 22 goals in eight league matches, a rate of 2.75 per game that ranks as the worst defensive record in the division . They have kept just one clean sheet—a 0-0 draw against Paderborn—and have conceded three or more goals in five separate matches, including a 5-0 humiliation at Freiburg and a 4-3 home defeat to Elversberg .
The defining moment came not in a tackle, but in a structural failure that Alexander Blessin has been unable to arrest. The backline that the new manager inherited was already thin, and the summer departures of key defenders left it thinner still. The response was a collection of free transfers, academy promotions, and players deployed out of position. Kevin Diks, a 30-year-old Indonesian international, has been the most consistent presence. Ko Itakura, the Japanese centre-back, has started just four matches. Joe Scally, nominally a right-back, has been used in a variety of roles and has contributed three goals—a remarkable return for a defender in a team that has scored just 11 times all season .
This is the story of Gladbach’s 2026/27 defenders: a makeshift backline held together by versatility and desperation, a free-transfer signing from Shakhtar who has yet to make his mark, and a teenage prospect thrust into a relegation battle far sooner than anyone anticipated.
Tactical Context
Blessin has alternated between a back four and a back three, searching for a combination that can stop the bleeding. The 3-4-2-1 shape that he has favored in recent weeks—including the 3-2 victory at Stuttgart and the 0-0 draw with Paderborn—has provided a measure of stability, but the personnel remain unsettled . The wing-backs are asked to defend first and support second, while the central trio is tasked with absorbing pressure and protecting a goalkeeper who has been repeatedly exposed.
The numbers reflect a defence that is overwhelmed rather than incompetent. Gladbach have faced an average of 15.24 shots per match, the highest in the division, and their expected goals against per match of 13.57 is also among the worst . The problem is not effort—it is quality and cohesion. Against Freiburg, Gladbach conceded five goals and had a player sent off. Against Mainz, they conceded four at home. Against Elversberg, they conceded four more. The defensive structure has collapsed repeatedly.
The centre-back pairing has been fluid. Diks has started six matches, playing 540 minutes, and has been the most reliable presence . Itakura has started four matches, playing 367 minutes, but has struggled for consistency and fitness . Jan Leszczyński, a 19-year-old Polish centre-back, has been thrust into the starting XI, playing 240 minutes across four appearances . Fabio Chiarodia, a 21-year-old Italian, has made two appearances . The depth is thin, the experience is limited, and the results have reflected that.
The full-back roles have been reshaped. Lukas Ullrich, the 22-year-old German left-back, has been one of the few bright spots, contributing two assists in 593 minutes . Scally has been deployed as a wing-back, a full-back, and even in midfield, his versatility a reflection of the squad’s limitations rather than a tactical choice . Yukhym Konoplya, the Ukrainian international signed on a free transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk, has yet to make a league appearance, his integration delayed by the chaos around him .
The Defenders
Kevin Diks
Diks is Gladbach’s most experienced and most consistent defender, the 30-year-old Indonesian international who has been a fixture in the backline when available. He has started six league matches, playing 540 minutes, and has been the defensive unit’s anchor .
His profile is that of the versatile, physically robust defender. Diks can play at centre-back or right-back, and his experience in the Eredivisie and the Bundesliga has made him a valuable presence in a squad that lacks it. He is not the most technically gifted player in the squad, but his positioning, his reading of the game, and his willingness to engage in duels have made him indispensable.
The context of his season matters. Diks arrived at Gladbach in 2025 and was expected to be a squad option. The departures of Nico Elvedi and other defenders thrust him into a leadership role far sooner than anticipated. At 30, he is in the latter stages of his prime, and his performances have been one of the few positives in a disastrous campaign. His contract runs until 2028, and his importance to a relegation battle cannot be overstated.
Ko Itakura
Itakura is Gladbach’s most naturally gifted centre-back, the 29-year-old Japanese international whose composure in possession and reading of the game have made him a coveted asset in previous seasons. He has started four league matches, playing 367 minutes, but has struggled for consistency and fitness .
His profile is that of the modern, ball-playing centre-back. Itakura is comfortable stepping into midfield, distributing with both feet, and defending in a high line. His performances for Japan and in his earlier Gladbach seasons suggested a defender capable of playing at the highest level. The current campaign has been more difficult, but the blame lies primarily with the structure around him rather than his own quality.
The context of his season matters. Itakura has been linked with moves away from Gladbach in previous windows, and his contract situation remains uncertain. At 29, he is in his prime, and his performances in a struggling side have not enhanced his reputation. Whether he remains beyond January or the summer is one of the many questions hanging over the club.
Lukas Ullrich
Ullrich is Gladbach’s first-choice left-back and one of the few attacking bright spots in a dismal season. The 22-year-old German has started seven league matches, playing 593 minutes, and has contributed two assists .
His profile is that of the modern, attacking full-back. Ullrich is quick, comfortable in possession, and capable of delivering crosses and playing incisive passes. In a team that has struggled to create chances, his willingness to push forward has provided a rare outlet. Defensively, he is competent rather than exceptional, but in a side that has conceded 22 goals, no defender has covered himself in glory.
The context of his season matters. Ullrich came through Gladbach’s academy and has gradually established himself as a first-team regular. At 22, he is entering his prime, and his development has been one of the few positives of the campaign. If Gladbach are to avoid relegation, his contributions in the final third will be crucial.
Joe Scally
Scally is Gladbach’s most versatile defender, a 23-year-old American who has been deployed as a right-back, a wing-back, and even in midfield. He has started seven league matches, playing 595 minutes, and has contributed three goals and one assist—a remarkable return for a defender in a team that has scored just 11 times all season .
His profile is that of the energetic, adaptable full-back. Scally is quick, comfortable on the ball, and capable of playing in multiple positions. His three goals—including the winner against Stuttgart—have been invaluable in a team that has struggled for goals from its forwards.
The context of his season matters. Scally has been at Gladbach since 2021 and has established himself as a regular under successive managers. At 23, he is entering his prime, and his versatility has been a lifeline for a manager forced to improvise. Whether his future lies at right-back or in a more advanced role remains to be seen.
Yukhym Konoplya
Konoplya is Gladbach’s marquee defensive signing of the summer, the Ukrainian international signed on a free transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk. The 27-year-old has yet to make a league appearance, his integration delayed by the chaos around him .
His profile is that of the physically strong, experienced full-back. Konoplya made 114 competitive appearances for Shakhtar, including 15 in the Champions League, and has won 27 caps for Ukraine. Sporting director Rouven Schröder described him as “a physically strong defender who enjoys playing and competing,” adding that he brings “a lot of experience and leadership qualities” .
The context of his arrival matters. Konoplya was signed to provide stability and experience to a defence that lacked both. His lack of involvement so far is a reflection of the team’s broader dysfunction rather than his own quality. At 27, he is in his prime, and his introduction to the starting XI cannot come soon enough for a defence that has been repeatedly exposed.
Jan Leszczyński, Fabio Chiarodia, and the Supporting Cast
Leszczyński, a 19-year-old Polish centre-back, has been thrust into the starting XI far sooner than anticipated, playing 240 minutes across four appearances . His profile is that of the developing, physically imposing defender, and his potential is significant. At 19, he has time to develop, but the pressures of a relegation battle are an unforgiving classroom.
Chiarodia, a 21-year-old Italian centre-back, has made two appearances, playing 88 minutes . David Herold, a 23-year-old left-back, has provided cover for Ullrich, playing 152 minutes . Daiki Hashioka, the 27-year-old Japanese international, has been deployed as a right-sided centre-back in Blessin’s back three, his versatility valued in a squad that lacks specialized options .
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: Borussia Mönchengladbach Defender Bundesliga Statistics (2026/27)
| Player | Apps (Starts) | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Scally | 8 (7) | 595 | 3 | 1 | RB/DF |
| Lukas Ullrich | 7 (7) | 593 | 0 | 2 | LB |
| Kevin Diks | 6 (6) | 540 | 0 | 0 | CB |
| Ko Itakura | 5 (4) | 367 | 0 | 0 | CB |
| Jan Leszczyński | 4 (—) | 240 | 0 | 0 | CB |
| Daiki Hashioka | 6 (4) | 380 | 0 | 0 | RB/CB |
| Fabio Chiarodia | 2 (—) | 88 | 0 | 0 | CB |
| Yukhym Konoplya | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 | 0 | RB |
TABLE B: Borussia Mönchengladbach Defensive Unit – Key Metrics (2026/27)
| Metric | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Conceded (Bundesliga) | 22 | 2.75 per game; worst in division |
| Clean Sheets | 1 | 0-0 vs Paderborn |
| Shots Faced per Match | 15.24 | Highest in Bundesliga |
| League Position | 18th | 4 points from 8 matches |
TABLE C: Defender Career Context & Pedigree
| Player | Nationality | Previous Clubs | Style Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Diks | Indonesia | Copenhagen, Feyenoord | Versatile defender, physically robust, experienced |
| Ko Itakura | Japan | Manchester City (loan), Groningen | Ball-playing CB, composed, high-line defender |
| Lukas Ullrich | Germany | Gladbach (academy) | Attacking left-back, quick, developing |
| Joe Scally | USA | NYCFC | Energetic full-back, versatile, goalscoring threat |
| Yukhym Konoplya | Ukraine | Shakhtar Donetsk | Physically strong RB, experienced, leadership |
| Jan Leszczyński | Poland | Gladbach (academy) | Developing CB, physically imposing |
Tactical Identity & Squad Balance
Gladbach’s defensive unit is a study in improvisation and desperation. The departures of key defenders left a void that the club attempted to fill with free transfers and academy promotions. The result is a backline that is functional in patches but catastrophic in others.
The balance is fragile. Diks has been the most reliable presence, his experience and versatility invaluable in a squad that lacks both. Itakura has the quality but not the consistency. Ullrich and Scally have provided energy and attacking thrust, but their defensive limitations have been exposed. Leszczyński is a talent but not yet ready. Konoplya’s arrival was intended to provide stability, but his integration has been delayed.
The contrast with last season is stark. In 2025/26, Gladbach’s defence included Elvedi, a Swiss international of proven quality, and a settled structure that had been refined over years. The 2026/27 arrangement is more makeshift, more reliant on players out of position, and more dependent on Blessin’s ability to find a combination that works. Against Stuttgart, a 3-2 victory, the back three held firm. Against Freiburg, a 5-0 defeat, it collapsed entirely.
The risk is obvious. The January window is seen as essential for survival, with reports suggesting Gladbach need an experienced centre-back with Bundesliga quality to stabilise the back three . Eric Smith of St. Pauli, who played under Blessin, has been identified as a target. Without reinforcement, the defence that has conceded 22 goals in eight matches will continue to undermine every other effort to climb the table.
The Verdict from the Camp
Rouven Schröder, Borussia Mönchengladbach sporting director, on Konoplya’s arrival:
“Yukhym is a physically strong defender who enjoys playing and competing. As a regular starter for the Ukrainian champion, through regular international appearances and games in the Champions League, he brings a lot of experience and leadership qualities” .
Alexander Blessin, Borussia Mönchengladbach manager, on Daiki Hashioka:
“With Hashi, I have to say quite honestly that he did really well in the half-position. I see him more in the half-back position or then in a back four as a full-back. That can still change. I have now gained a first impression. There are always surprises” .
OneFootball, on Gladbach’s defensive needs:
“In defence, Borussia need an experienced centre-back with Bundesliga experience who can stabilise the back three and help immediately” .
Where Next?
Gladbach’s defensive priority is survival, and survival requires reinforcements. The current backline has conceded 22 goals in eight matches, the worst record in the Bundesliga, and the January window is seen as essential for addressing the structural weaknesses. An experienced centre-back with Bundesliga quality is the priority, with Eric Smith of St. Pauli identified as a target who knows Blessin’s system from their time together .
The return of Konoplya to the starting XI will provide a boost, but he cannot solve the problems alone. Diks and Itakura must find consistency, Ullrich and Scally must balance their attacking instincts with defensive discipline, and Leszczyński must learn on the job without being overwhelmed. The margins are thin, and the margin for error is thinner.
The longer-term question is the futures of the defenders who have been linked with moves away. Itakura’s contract situation remains unresolved, and his performances in a struggling side may accelerate a departure. Diks is 30 and has limited years at the top level. The rebuild that was supposed to happen in the summer will need to happen in the winter, or Gladbach’s return to the second tier will be confirmed long before May.
For now, Gladbach’s defenders are the fragile foundation of a survival bid that is already on the brink. Scally’s goals, Ullrich’s energy, and Diks’s experience have provided moments of hope. But hope is not enough in a league where 22 goals conceded in eight matches is a recipe for relegation. The January window cannot come soon enough.
