Goalkeeper Marius Funk made a bad mistake in the 0:4 in Mönchengladbach, Captain Branimir Hrgota had to leave at half-time for performance reasons. What’s next for the duo
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Both the goalkeeper and captain positions are particularly tricky in any team. The more stable these players are, the better for the overall structure. In Fürth, however, Marius Funk and Branimir Hrgota – among many others – were weak.
Funk made a fatal mistake before the 0:2 into the feet of Florian Neuhaus, who accepted the gift and pushed the ball into the empty goal. The goalkeeper is actually considered to be good on the ball, but his rate of saved balls is less than 50 per cent.
Two keepers and the question of Bundesliga fitness
The Swabian-born keeper has been in charge for six games, but the change has not worked out. Leitl must now decide whether to stick with Funk or to put his trust in promoted goalkeeper Sascha Burchert again in the near future. He had put him on the bench after the sixth matchday and unhappy games. In the end, neither of the two has the quality needed for the Bundesliga.
Branimir Hrgota has rather proven it, at least partially at his former stations in Mönchengladbach and Frankfurt. However, the striker seems more and more tense from week to week, often wants to get his head through the wall. He has converted three penalties so far this season, but has failed to score a goal from play in a dozen games.
Hrgotas substitution as a sign to the team
Leitl could have substituted pretty much any other outfield player at the break in Gladbach. The fact that it was Hrgota who was substituted can be seen as a sign to the team that the coach does not shy away from names. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that Leitl will permanently withdraw his confidence in his leading player. However, the latter would also have to start counter-signing with performance.
Against Hoffenheim against the sole negative record
With their tenth defeat in a row, SpVgg set a Bundesliga record on Saturday, against Hoffenheim next Saturday they threaten to become the sole negative.