Were the sporting situation not so bleak, Stefan Leitl could celebrate big on Saturday. The game against 1899 Hoffenheim is his 100th as head coach of the Kleeblatt.
“It’s nice for me to have been able to work here for so long. That’s not common with the high turnover in the coaching job, I’m happy in Fürth,” he said at the press conference on Thursday.
His record is almost even: 34 wins, 35 losses, 30 draws with 149:149 goals. To even it up, a win against TSG would be necessary, but: “It’s not pleasant news, it’s not an easy situation for us again,” Leitl began to work through his failures.
We hardly have any muscle injuries, they all occur during contact. The fact that it’s hitting us like this is extraordinary.
In addition to the long-term injured Nick Viergever, Gideon Jung and Justin Hoogma, Paul Seguin is definitely missing due to a severe cold. Luca Itter has been allowed to leave quarantine after a COVID-19 infection but must first complete the medical check and then be introduced. Jetro Willems and Jeremy Dudziak, who both injured their ankles during the week, are also question marks. Max Christiansen also suffered a severe shin bruise in training, and his participation is anything but certain. “We hardly have any muscle injuries, they all occur during contact. That it hits us like this is quite extraordinary,” said Leitl.
A longing since summer 2012 – More negative records looming
It is another matter whether SpVgg would be able to win against Hoffenheim in their best line-up, the task is not made easier by the absences. In all twelve games of the season, SpVgg were behind at some point during the 90 minutes, depressing. The eleventh defeat in a row would be the sole Bundesliga record, with only one point after twelve matchdays Fürth already holds another.
And the first home win in Bundesliga history is still a long time coming, 22 times tried, 22 times nothing has happened is the phrase used in the combination of 2012/13 and 2021/22. Bad omens for the anniversary. A surprising victory, however, could brighten the mood considerably.