Two clubs have the chance to take revenge for their cup defeat on matchday 13. A basement duel will take place on Friday, and Nuremberg will also be looking to get back on the road to success. On Saturday evening, der HSV hosts KSC, one day later, Schalke coach Dimitrios Grammozis meets his old club.
There has been little to pick from recently for both Holstein Kiel and Dynamo Dresden, who face each other on Friday night: The Störche have been waiting for a win for four games (0 wins/3 draws/1 defeat), the Dresdeners lost their last four games and did not score a single goal. Should the Saxons also lose their fifth league game in a row, they would set their negative record. However, the Saxons should not let themselves be paralysed by the series of failures. “It’s all in the head,” said SGD coach Alexander Schmidt, who wants to build up his team mentally. Kiel are in 16th place in the relegation play-off places, and a win would give them some breathing space in the relegation places. “A win is essential for us,” said Störche centre forward Pichler.
Nuremberg hope for Sörensen and Krauß – Werder for Ducksch
Nürnberg have gone eleven league games without defeat, but on the last matchday the club (0:2 in Darmstadt) also suffered a defeat. Against Bremen, the old champions want to get back on track. FCN coach Robert Klauß can hope for the deployment of two regulars against the Green-Whites: Centre-back Asger Sörensen trained on Wednesday with a special mask after his fractured cheekbone, Tom Krauß has at least resumed running training after his concussion. Bremen coach Markus Anfang was also relieved during the week, but not certain. After a two-day break, Marvin Ducksch returned to training, but whether the goal scorer will be fit in time for Nuremberg is still open: “We have to see how he copes with training on Thursday,” said SVW coach Markus Anfang on Wednesday.
Duell der Enttäuschten in Düsseldorf
The second division Saturday starts with a duel of the disappointed: both Fortuna Düsseldorf and Hannover 96 have so far fallen short of their expectations. Coach Christian Preußer’s team put in a shocking performance in the 2-1 defeat at Hansa Rostock on the last matchday. Reparation in front of their own fans is therefore called for – and revenge for the cup defeat against Hannover in the 2nd round. However, the 3-0 win was the only bright spot for 96 in recent weeks. In the 2nd division, coach Jan Zimmermann’s team has been waiting five games for a win (0/2/3). They are now only one point clear of the relegation zone, and a further defeat could see them drop below the line.
Regensburg seek revenge against Rostock – Paderborn want to end wait
Jahn Regensburg have the chance for revenge just a few days after their 4-2 defeat in the cup to Hansa Rostock when the north-eastern Germans pay their respects at the Jahn-Stadion. The Upper Palatinate side already gave the right answer with a 3-0 win in Ingolstadt. Should they succeed in making amends, the Jahn would push St. Pauli off the top of the table, at least for 24 hours. But Rostock have a lot of self-confidence at the moment, following up their victory in the cup with a 2-1 win over Düsseldorf in the league. “We want to take something back from Regensburg if possible,” Behrens hopes.
SC Paderborn have been waiting for a home win since mid-August. Against FC Ingolstadt, who are bottom of the league, they are now looking for their second win in front of their home crowd. Hopes rest on the shoulders of Michel, who scored a flawless hat-trick in the 4:2 win in Karlsruhe. Ingolstadt’s change of coach to André Schubert has not yet had the desired effect, and the Schanzers have not won a competitive match in eight games. At least FCI captain Kutschke, who has been ill recently, is set to return in the centre of attack.
KSC set for reaction in half two – Walter’s home trip
Karlsruhe SC have experienced a rollercoaster ride in recent days: the cup coup in Leverkusen (2:1) was followed by a sobering 4:2 home defeat against Paderborn in the league. However, KSC took heart from the second half against Ostwestfalen: “Overall, the team’s reaction was extremely important,” praised coach Christian Eichner. On Saturday evening, Hamburger SV will come to the Wildpark – against whom the Badeners are still waiting for their first second league win. This is no ordinary match for HSV coach Tim Walter, who not only grew up in Karlsruhe, but also played in the KSC jersey himself in his youth and later started his coaching career in the youth sector. There is no room for sentimentality, however, after the 1:1 in the northern duel against Kiel, HSV is once again threatening to sink into mediocrity.
Who will step into the breach for Terodde?
Who will step into the breach for Simon Terodde? This is a question that not only Schalke coach Dimitrios Grammozis is asking himself ahead of Sunday’s match against Darmstadt 98. Terodde has been waiting for his 154th second league goal for four games or more than 300 minutes, and the most recent two games were lost by zero. And this immediately led to discussions of principle, which sporting director Rouven Schröder does not want to allow. A win against Darmstadt would reassure the fans, but the Lilien are travelling to the west with a broad chest. After all, Darmstadt have had an “almost perfect golden October” without defeat (3/1/0). And coach Torsten Lieberknecht’s charges are also expecting something at Schalke: “We can defend. And attack too,” said Marvin Mehlem.
Qual of choice for St.-Pauli coach Schultz
Fc St. Pauli have not lost in six games (5/1/0), not to mention the cup win in Dresden (3:2 n.V.).which gives coach Timo Schultz quite a few options. Captain Ziereis could return to the starting eleven against Sandhausen, and Marcel Hartel and Finn Ole Becker are also pushing themselves. SVS is now three games unbeaten and has left the relegation zone for the time being. Sandhausen have been particularly stable away from home, with coach Alois Schwartz’s side winning all three of their matches away from home.
Aue want to advance – Statistics speak for Heidenheim
Ordgebirge Aue have gone two games without a defeat, and a sense of achievement should give further hope of staying in the relegation zone. However, team manager Marc Hensel will have to do without Gaetan Bussmann (herniated disc), a very important player. Heidenheim avoided the autumn blues with a 1-0 win over Schalke last matchday, and the Ostalbstadt side would now like to follow suit. The statistics give them hope, as only two of the twelve second division games against the Saxons so far have been lost.
