Champions League: Gladbach in last chance saloon

Gladbach come in to their game on the back of a derby defeat to Cologne and failed to get to grips with City in the reverse fixture, falling to a 4-0 defeat, but head coach Andre Schubert believes the loss in Manchester was a larning curve.

"We learned our lessons from our first game against Manchester City," he said in his press conference on Tuesday. "They have a very good squad. They press very high from the first minute and showed what a good side they are in their last few games."

Schubert has come under some pressure of late with his side having won just one of their last six games in all competitions and languishing in 13th in the Bundesliga, nine points back from the Champions League spots. But the 45-year-old called for unity from his charges.

"As a manager, I know that sometimes things can get difficult," he said. "But the most important thing is the players keep their confidence. After the disappointing loss, we have to try and build ourselves back up as a team."

Wednesday's match will be the second in a run of three games in seven days for Gladbach but they have no fresh injury concerns.

For the visitors, injury prone Vincent Kompany is likely to miss out once again while John Stones, Ilkay Gündogan and Gael Clichy are back in contention.

Yaya Toure could also feature after his first start in the Premier League this season brought a two goal haul in the Sky Blues' win over Crystal Palace. Gündogan sat out that one but the former Borussia Dortmund man expects a stern test in his homeland.

“Gladbach are a strong team. We beat them here 4-0 but we know they are very strong at home," he said. “Barcelona struggled there as well so we have been warned. But we are able to beat them — and that will be our main target."

A point will be enough for the English side to go through but Gündogan said Guardiola expects all three, with City still able to overhaul Barcelona and finish top.

Bayern need win but priorities lie elsewhwere

After defeat in Dortmund on Saturday, Bayern Munich face the unusual prospect of seeking to avoid back to back losses when they travel to Russia on Wednesday. Despite having qualified for the last 16 already, they're likely to need a win to keep their hopes of topping Group D alive.

But the German champions will have to do without a number of first teamers including goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who will be rested with a tight calf. Arturo Vidal and Kingsley Coman are also out while Arjen Robben and Javi Martinez are back in training but unlikely to be risked against Rostov, who have picked up just one point from the four games they've played to date in their debut Champions League campaign.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed that Sven Ulreich will replace Neuer but is unconvinced about the importance of pipping Atletico Madrid – who Bayern play again on matchday 6 – to top spot.

"If you look at the situation in other groups, it's not necessarily an advantage to finish first because there are probably a few second place sides that are stronger than first placed sides," he said.

With Bayern still reeling from losing their position at the Bundesliga's summit for the first time in over a year, Rummenigge suggested the Bavarians' focus isn't wholly on Wednesday night's match.

"The most important game this week, without any exaggeration, is the one on Saturday (against Bayer Leverkusen). We are now immediately on the hunt to regain top spot in the league as quickly as possible," he said.

Bayern beat Rostov 5-0 at home in September. They have already qualified, along with the Spanish side, but will finish second if they fail to win and Atleti defeat Dutch side PSV Eindhoven.