Bundesliga 2 - Series extended: Fürth satisfied in winter break
Unbeaten streak extended, morale boosted, coach convinced: SpVgg Greuther Fürth spent the winter in the top flight of the 2nd Bundesliga and can optimistically attack the promotion places in the new calendar year. The 2:2 (0:0) draw at Schalke 04 at the end of the first half of the season after trailing twice left coach Alexander Zorniger full of praise. The coach found his charges' comeback "impressive". "I was very impressed with the way we played soccer, created scoring chances and put our opponents under pressure. But to come back here like this deserves respect."
In front of 60,166 spectators in the Veltins Arena, captain Branimir Hrgota (50th minute) and Simon Asta (77th) had both equalized on Friday evening. Keke Topp (30) and Kenan Karaman (73) scored for the relegated Bundesliga side. Fürth went into the Christmas holidays with two draws; the Franconians are unbeaten in seven league games. The fifth-placed Spielvereinigung are just two points behind Hamburger SV in the relegation places.
"I think we've grown together extremely well as a team," said goalscorer Asta in an analysis of the first half of the season. The good atmosphere both on and off the pitch has provided "a lot of fire" and the success of the Kleeblatt team. "I think that's the healthy mix we need and that's why things are going so well."
Schalke almost even came close to victory when the visitors ended the game with a superior number of players after Derry Murkin (80) was shown a yellow card. But because the relegated Bundesliga side defended with discipline, Fürth were denied the winning goal.
After a short Christmas break, Zorniger expects his players back on the pitch on December 28. The Franconians will forego a training camp in southern Europe this time and will instead prepare at home for the start of the second half of the season, which will take place in Paderborn on January 21.
Info on the Greuther Fürth squad on the Fürth homepage
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Source: www.stern.de
