VfL Osnabrück was spared relegation “on the sofa” at the weekend. The Millerntor Stadium will now be the place of fate for the second division soccer team – on Tuesday without spectators against Schalke and on Sunday in front of a full stadium against FC St. Pauli.
For Lower Saxony there is nothing more than a relegation place. Even for this, the bottom of the 2nd league table has to win its three remaining games of the season. An almost hopeless undertaking, because the circumstances are by no means kind to coach Uwe Koschinat’s team.
First, VfL has to play twice in a row at Hamburg’s Millerntor: On Tuesday (6.30 p.m., in the NDR Livecenter), the home game against Schalke 04, which was canceled due to the stadium at Bremer Brücke being closed, will be rescheduled – but in front of empty stands. If VfL loses, they are relegated.
Next Sunday (1.30 p.m., in the NDR Livecenter) the task will be much more difficult when second-placed FC St. Pauli welcomes the Osnabrück team to their home stadium and wants to celebrate promotion to the Bundesliga in front of a sold-out crowd: either because the day before Holstein Kiel Fortuna Düsseldorf or with a home win against Lower Saxony.
Not even against Hertha at the Bremer Bridge?
Either way, it seems hard to imagine that VfL will get six points from these two games and then still have a chance of staying in the league in the last home game on matchday 34 against Hertha BSC. Especially since it is not yet clear whether this game can take place at the Bremer Bridge.
“It’s extremely unfortunate for us,” explained sports director Philipp Kaufmann in the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung” and added: “We showed at the Bremer Bridge that we can play great games there with the 12th man. It’s of course a It’s a huge advantage to play with your own fans behind you – especially in our situation,” said Kaufmann.
The aim is to at least temporarily prepare the missing stadium roof, which is contaminated with asbestos, so that games can be played. According to NDR information, there are two options for this: On the one hand, the roof could be secured so that the city opens the stadium again – either with fans or without. Alternatively, the dilapidated roof could be removed and the game played topless. Both are currently being examined, according to a club spokesman.
VfL coach Koschinat: “It’s sad”
But first it’s “away” at the Millerntor against Schalke. “I find it sad that such a great game is taking place without spectators – and completely without necessity,” complained VfL coach Koschinat, but at the same time praised how his team was dealing with the situation: “I have to say, I’m extremely enthusiastic about it the commitment and quality in training is not a given for a team in this situation and with the uncertainty.”
Schalke coach criticizes scheduling without fans
Schalke’s coach Karel Geraerts was also critical of the circumstances: “It is special and reminiscent of the Corona period. And it is difficult for me to understand that we cannot organize a game with spectators in a week.” The Belgian has respect for his ailing opponent: “I think Osnabrück will fight until the end for its last chance. That’s their mentality and apparently also that of their coach. The team that is mentally stronger will win.”
“Unfortunately, this home game feels like an away game. But we have to live with that now,” said VfL coach Koschinat, but continues to think positively: “The crucial point is: We didn’t get relegated over the weekend. Other teams didn’t do that played the way they needed to and we know that with a win we can definitely create pressure again.”
Possible lineups:
VfL Osnabrück: Kühn – Ajdini, Gyamfi, Wiemann, Kleinhansl – Cuisance, Gnaase, Kunze – Conteh, Engelhardt, Niemann
Schalke 04: Müller – van der Sloot, Kalas, Kaminski, Ouwejan – Schallenberg – Kabadayi, Seguin – Karaman – Terodde, Topp
This topic in the program:
Sports current | May 7, 2024 | 11:03 p.m