Rostock ahead of Magdeburg game "Both need a success"
FC Hansa Rostock have only won one of their last eight games in the 2nd Bundesliga. And one of the few pieces of good news during this time is that their next opponents and old rivals 1. FC Magdeburg have already gone seven games in a row without a win - and are therefore a club that the Rostockers could obviously seriously drag into the relegation battle.
"Both teams need a sense of achievement," said Hansa coach Alois Schwartz on Friday at his press conference for this important clash (Sunday, 1.30pm/Sky). "And our lads are working hard every day to get this result. Magdeburg may be going through a difficult phase at the moment, but we know what to expect: an opponent with a lot of possession who want to tire us out. We will also have to suffer on Sunday."
There are some parallels between the two clubs. Coach Jens Härtel first led Magdeburg (2018) and then Rostock (2021) to the second division. Nils Butzen, who now plays for FC Carl Zeiss Jena, was also involved in both promotions.
"Although we're not geographically close, there's a real derby feeling. The fans will go that extra mile, there will be more emotion than at other games," the 30-year-old Butzen told the "Ostsee-Zeitung" (Friday). However, the defender also warned: "After their good starts to the season, both clubs may have seen themselves in other parts of the table in the long term. Now it's a very tricky situation."
FC Hansa, in particular, is lamenting two untimely losses. In the 0-0 draw against Hertha BSC last weekend, coach Schwartz successfully switched to a back four, which visibly stabilized the team. In Magdeburg, Nico Neidhart and John-Patrick Strauß, two players who are particularly suited to this system, are now out injured.
"Of course we'll have to make changes in the right-back position," said Schwartz. "We'll see on matchday whether that means reverting to a back three or finding another solution."
Despite their recent struggles, FC Hansa Rostock will be hoping to capitalize on 1st FC Magdeburg's seven-game winless streak in the Bundesliga 2. The Rostockers, who have only managed one victory in their last eight games, are eager to move away from the relegation battle.
After a promising start to the season, both FC Hansa Rostock and 1st FC Magdeburg find themselves in a challenging situation, with Magdeburg particularly struggling lately. Nils Butzen, who played a part in both clubs' promotions, acknowledged the derby-like feeling between the two teams.
Source: www.dpa.com
