RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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2. Bundesliga preview: VfL Osnabrück vs. 1. FC Magdeburg
With both sides making losing starts last time out, Saturday’s clash between Osnabrück and Magdeburg presents a fresh opportunity for either team to kick-start their campaign and get points on the board.
Newly promoted Osnabrück have been regarded by many pundits and fans as one of the favourites to go straight back down following their two-year absence from the 2. Bundesliga. There is a feeling that their squad lacks the necessary depth to sustain a campaign at this level, but Timo Schultz and his men will be hellbent on defying their critics. Their opening-day performance, despite ending in defeat, will have provided some encouragement.
A difficult trip to recently relegated Heidenheim awaited Osnabrück on matchday one, but they gave a very good account of themselves, particularly going forward. They ultimately fell to a 4-3 defeat in a thrilling encounter, with Niklas Wiemann, David Kopacz and Robin Meißner getting on the scoresheet.
Their attacking numbers were particularly encouraging, with Osnabrück registering 26 shots, six of which were on target, while posting an xG of 2.42. Unfortunately for Schultz, it was at the other end where his side looked vulnerable, with significant defensive improvements required if they are to retain their 2. Bundesliga status beyond this season.
Schultz has insisted that his side are raring to go:
“My lads are fired up, they’re raring to go, they’ve put the game [against Heidenheim] behind them. Of course, we were able to take some positives from that game as well. Now it’s starting at home at the Bremer Brücke and we absolutely want to win.”
Magdeburg, meanwhile, come into this one with an all-too-familiar feeling from last season. Petrik Sander undoubtedly stabilised the team after taking charge last year and did a magnificent job, but their inability to keep goals out remains a major concern after they began the new campaign in disastrous fashion.
A home meeting with Braunschweig appeared to offer FCM a fantastic opportunity to make a positive start, yet the game quickly unravelled for the hosts. After falling 3-0 behind before the half-hour mark, Herbert Bockhorn’s red card in the 31st minute compounded their misery, leaving Sander’s side with a mountain to climb.
Braunschweig went on to score three more times either side of a Mateusz Żukowski consolation, eventually cruising to a 6-1 victory.
Sander has called for his side to react on Saturday:
“The situation is clear. We’ve made mistakes recently and misjudged situations, but the important thing is to recognize them and analyze them accordingly. We know that we have a tough game ahead of us against Osnabrück on Saturday and that things need to go differently.”
The two sides last met during the 2023/24 campaign, with Magdeburg taking four points from the two encounters. FCM also prevailed in the most recent meeting at the Bremer Brücke, with Baris Atik among the scorers. In fact, Osnabrück have not beaten Magdeburg since 2016.
Home form could prove crucial for Osnabrück this season, with the newly promoted side currently unbeaten at the Bremer Brücke in the calendar year. Magdeburg, meanwhile, won just two of their final five away matches last season, highlighting another area where Sander will want to see improvement.
Team news
VfL Osnabrück: Jonathan Wensing has already returned to running sessions this week after recovering from a muscle injury, but he will still miss Saturday’s home game. It remains to be seen whether new signing Daniel Kofi Kyereh will be available for selection, with head coach Timo Schultz set to make a decision in close consultation with the player.
1. FC Magdeburg: FCM will be without Herbert Bockhorn, who is suspended for two matches following his red card against Braunschweig, while Lubambo Musonda remains sidelined with a torn Achilles tendon.
Predicted lineups
VfL Osnabrück (3-4-2-1): Krumrey; Fabinski, Müller, Wiemann; Faber, Wagner, Jacobsen, Kammerbauer; Kopacz, Badjie; Meißner.
1. FC Magdeburg (4-3-3): Reimann; Nadjombe, Jaeckel, Garcia MacNulty, Nollenberger; Michel, Hyryläinen, Kwarteng; Iyoha, Żukowski, Atik.
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