On paper, Fortuna Düsseldorf has easier second division opponents in the coming weeks. With a win against Osnabrück, F95 could put their competitors under pressure.
They could actually be in a pretty positive mood at Fortuna Düsseldorf before the game against bottom-placed VfL Osnabrück. Because Fortuna can be in the race for the relegation place for promotion to the Bundesliga on Friday (March 15, 2024). With a win we would move up to third place for the time being.
26th matchday arrow right Düsseldorf – Osnabrück, Friday from 6.30 p.m. arrow right
Düsseldorf defense with injury concerns
However, the question arises in Düsseldorf as to who should achieve this victory. The list of injuries is long, especially in defense: Jordy de Wijs, Joshua Quarshie and Emmanuel Iyoha are definitely out. Captain André Hoffmann is on the brink. “We took him out on Wednesday so that he could do his thumbs up or down today under full load,” explained coach Daniel Thioune on Thursday. However, he ruled out playing in the starting eleven.
Fortuna Düsseldorf without Quarshie Pfeil right for the time being Siebert remains with Fortuna Düsseldorf Pfeil right
Due to the few fit defenders, the young talents Tim Corsten and Jan Boller were able to prove themselves during the week. According to coach Thioune, they are also an option for the squad against Osnabrück. It is entirely possible that they will (have to) play minutes against the third-worst offense in the league.
Thioune warns: “VfL beat Hamburg and Hannover”
However, F95 coach Thioune warned in detail about this: “VfL is one of the teams with the highest standards in the league. They beat HSV and Hannover.” In fact: VfL have picked up nine points in the second half of the season – just one less than Fortuna. All points were scored through standard goals.
Osnabrück’s coach Daniel Thioune with sports director Benjamin Schmedes (May 2017)
The first leg should also be a warning for the Rhinelanders. In this, Düsseldorf conceded the equalizer in stoppage time to make the final score 1-1. Not according to a standard, but still through inattentive defending. Hardly anyone knows better how to beat the opponent than the coach: Thioune previously coached VfL, comes from the city and even now lives in Osnabrück.
Fortuna can gain an advantage
A win presents a great opportunity for Fortuna: After Osnabrück, Kaiserslautern, Braunschweig and Wehen Wiesbaden only play against opponents from the bottom half of the table in the 2nd Bundesliga. If you get as many points as possible from this somewhat easier program, Fortuna would probably be the first contender for the relegation place before the “crunch time” of the season begins.
Fortuna Düsseldorf: Final sprint from the ambush arrow right
In the distance, Fortuna will win a total of 45 million euros. After all, F95 is still in the cup semi-finals. However, a possible promotion would bring much more: more television money, more viewers, better sponsorship income. What also appears in the distance is a very attractive scenario: a relegation against arch-rivals 1. FC Köln. These prospects will probably create positive vibes against Osnabrück.