Arg thinned out by Corona infections and injuries, the squad of SpVgg Greuther Fürth has dragged itself through the past few games. This will already change for the better on Saturday at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Especially in the offensive there are many possibilities for coach Stefan Leitl, while he must continue to tinker in defence.
Havard Nielsen has overcome his foot problems. “It looks good,” Leitl is pleased about the return of the Norwegian offensive player, who missed four games recently. With Jeremy Dudziak, Dickson Abiama and Nils Seufert also returning after their Corona infections, the situation at the Kleeblatt in midfield and attack eases considerably. Striker Cedric Itten gained confidence in the Swiss national team with a goal against Bulgaria, Jamie Leweling and Timothy Tillman have recently recommended themselves as alternatives in the Bundesliga, as has Max Christiansen as a six.
This means that only those who perform well in training and matches can hope for a place in the starting eleven, the pressure to perform is increased. Logically, Leitl also has options from the bench.
Things don’t look so good in defence, where at least Maximilian Bauer (also COVID-19) returns. However, the centre-back was already absent before that due to a concussion and a total of four weeks. Leitl is planning with him as with all returnees, but also from the start? Most recently, in the 1:2 against Eintracht Frankfurt, the skilled defensive midfielders Sebastian Griesbeck and Hans Sarpei formed the central defence and largely did their job properly. The use of right-back Luca Itter, who is ill and not training at the moment, is questionable.
Leitl stresses that Mönchengladbach are “a different calibre” than Eintracht. “We must not let them get into positional play, because that is outstanding. They are a very good team against whom we have to be brave and stay with ourselves.” Will that, together with the alternative players, be enough for the longed-for success?
