​Gladbach 2026/27 season preview: Transfers, pre-season, predicted lineup and predictionsBorussia Mönchengladbach are heading into the 2026/27 Bundesliga season with renewed optimism. After finishing 12th last season, the club decided to stick with headcoach Eugen Polanski, despite some supporters calling for a change in the dugout.The decision could prove to be a smart one. Gladbach have enjoyed an outstanding pre-season, strengthened their squad with an interesting group of young players and are set to welcome back one of their most important players in Tim Kleindienst.There are still major questions to answer, particularly following the departure of former captain Rocco Reitz. But the Foals appear to have taken a step in the right direction.Pre-season preparationsIf results are anything to go by, Gladbach have had one of the most impressive pre-seasons of any Bundesliga club.The Foals won all eight of their pre-season matches, scoring an incredible 45 goals while conceding just seven.Their summer campaign included comfortable victories over Wuppertal, Rot-Weiss Essen and Hansa Rostock before Gladbach produced arguably their most impressive result: a 4-1 win over Hoffenheim.They also finished their friendly schedule with an eye-catching 2-1 victory over Aston Villa.The results have naturally created plenty of optimism around the Borussia-Park. More importantly, Polanski appears to have developed a team that is comfortable both with the ball and in transition.The momentum continued into competitive action.Gladbach comfortably defeated Schott Mainz 5-0 in the first round of the DFB-Pokal, giving the club another confidence boost ahead of the Bundesliga campaign.Perhaps the biggest boost of all, however, is the return of Tim Kleindienst.The striker missed the entirety of last season, and his comeback has been highly anticipated in Gladbach. His physical presence, goalscoring ability and link-up play will give Polanski an entirely different attacking dimension.There is also some continuity in goal. Gladbach decided to keep Moritz Nicolas despite interest in the goalkeeper, giving Polanski a reliable option between the posts.The biggest question is whether the coach can translate this excellent pre-season form into a significant improvement in the Bundesliga.TransfersGladbach have taken an interesting approach to the summer transfer window.Rather than relying exclusively on established Bundesliga names, the club have targeted talent from the 2. Bundesliga, looking to identify players capable of making the step up.One of the headline arrivals is Isac Lidberg, who joined from Darmstadt. The Swedish striker scored 31 goals and provided nine assists in 58 2. Bundesliga appearances before making the move to Gladbach. He is expected to provide strong competition and cover for Kleindienst.David Herold has also arrived from Karlsruhe, while Enzo Leopold joined from Hannover 96. Both players fit the club’s strategy of recruiting relatively young players who