The cloverleaf had to do without Nick Viergever for two months after an ankle injury. Thanks in part to the comeback of the defender, the goalless draw against VfB Stuttgart confirmed the trend from before Christmas that the SpVgg have recently become more defensively stable.
Fürth had never managed that in the Bundesliga before: For the first time, the Franconians remained unbeaten in three home games in a row and even without conceding a goal in each of them. “We played very compactly, especially in the first half, and had a good match plan,” said a satisfied Nick Viergever afterwards.
The 32-year-old played his part in that, as he was very reliable and stable at the back. And on the offensive, he almost set up a goal with a header, but Branimir Hrgota missed the great chance in the 22nd minute. Nevertheless, Viergever took a pragmatic view of the draw: “If you can’t win, then at least don’t lose.
Coach Stefan Leitl is happy to have the defender, who was signed from PSV Eindhoven in late summer, back on board. “I was very happy with Nick. He needed the first few minutes to get in and get some confidence,” he analysed Viergever’s performance, before emphasising his importance: “For me he’s important because of his experience and his quality, for the team that we have a communicator on the pitch who coaches them from the back.”
Viergever, on the other hand, was just “happy to be back on the pitch and to be able to help the team.” SpVgg picked up six points from the draw. That is not enough to keep them in the relegation zone, but five points from the four most recent games give hope that the yield will be better in the second half of the season and that the cloverleaf will leave with its head held high.
