Gladbach’s Marcus Thuram eyeing shock title

MOENCHENGLADBACH, Germany: Rising star Marcus Thuram admits the word “champions” is no longer taboo at high-flying Borussia Moenchengladbach as the Bundesliga leaders prepare for Saturday’s showdown at home to Bayern Munich.

Bayern have won the German title in each of the past seven seasons, but their dominance is coming under threat from Gladbach, who lead the reigning champions by four points.

Leading their attack is the 22-year-old son of Lilian Thuram, France’s most capped player with 142 international appearances. Having joined from Guingamp, who were relegated from Ligue 1 last season, Thuram junior has so far repaid the nine million euros ($9.9 million) Gladbach reportedly paid for him with six goals and four assists in 13 league games.

After two months on top of the table, Gladbach fans are dreaming of a first Bundesliga title since 1977 and the word “champions” is starting to be whispered. “It’s not a taboo word, but it’s not a word used every day here,” Thuram told AFP.

“You have to take each game as it comes and we’ll see at the end of the season.” The leading quartet of Gladbach, RB Leipzig, Schalke and Bayern are separated by only four points.

Gladbach’s shock 2-0 defeat at newcomers Union Berlin a fortnight ago, and Bayern’s 2-1 home defeat by Leverkusen last Saturday, demonstrate how open this season’s title race is. “Every weekend I look at the opponents’ results, sometimes I understand, sometimes I don’t — it’s a very open championship, every team can win every weekend,” admitted Thuram.