On Friday, SpVgg Greuther Fürth take on 1. FC Köln. An encounter of two teams with offensive football DNA. Kleeblatt coach Stefan Leitl, however, warns of a “switch battle”.
In their seventh attempt, Fürth are looking to bag their first Bundesliga win of the current season (0/1/5 so far, 4:16 goals, 18th). On Friday evening (20.30, LIVE! at kicker), the Spielvereinigung are guests of 1. FC Köln. “We are really looking forward to the game,” Leitl emphasised. “It will be a good atmosphere with over 30,000 spectators who will whip their team forward. Steffen Baumgart has a very attacking and intense football played. We are looking forward to it because it is very close to our philosophy and we are convinced that we can show a good game and stand up to them. We want to do our part to make it a good evening of football for us Fürther as well.”
In the pre-season, the cloverleaf was one of the most playful and offensively strong teams in the 2. Liga and was good for a goal at any time. In the Bundesliga, this goal threat still came up too rarely. “We have to make the most of the chances that come our way. It doesn’t matter whether it’s from the game or from standards,” Leitl appeals to effectiveness, but also says: “There will be spaces for us. We have to get into them and play them. When we get to finishing situations, we have to take them with confidence and not pass on the responsibility. If we grow together even more, then we will also be successful in front of the box. We are confident that we will score tomorrow. “
Itten questionable – Leweling pushing up
What exactly Leitl will do in his attack is still open. Captain Branimir Hrgota is likely to be set. Beyond that, Havard Nielsen, Dickson Abiama or Jamie Leweling are likely to grab at least one more spot. Leitl attested the latter “active” and “very good” training. Timothy Tillman was also mentioned as an option for the ten.
Whether striker Cedric Itten, the preferred personnel in the case of a two-man forward, will be fit in time, on the other hand, is still open. “Yesterday he had to stop training. It’s a muscular story,” Leitl reported. “This morning he took part in the warm-up and gave positive feedback. He will definitely travel with us to Cologne and will hopefully be available. “
Clear upward trend – No “switch battle” in Cologne
The pressure on Spielvereinigung is not easing after just one point from eight games. “I don’t think we need to tense up,” Leitl stressed. “We are a promoted team and haven’t made the best start. In our perception, we are three points short. For us, it is now a matter of making up for them. We showed in the games against Wolfsburg (0:2), Hertha (1:3) and Bayern (1:3) that we are rightly in this league. Certain automatisms are now also taking effect in the game against the ball. Of course, that gives us self-confidence.”
The clearly recognisable improvement in performance in recent weeks should now also be reflected in the points tally. However, the White-Greens do not want to get involved in an open exchange of blows in Cologne. “We have to be careful that we achieve a good stability and balance,” warns Leitl. “I don’t want to get into a switching battle and a permanent back and forth. We have to act from a good compactness and use the situations where we can play high and aggressive against the ball. “
