Will the statistics stay true to Nuremberg? Fiél warns against Paderborn
Cristian Fiél likes this statistic. FC Nürnberg have never lost two competitive games in a row this season, and that's how it should stay after the away game at SC Paderborn on Saturday (1pm/Sky). "In that case, I wouldn't mind if the statistics stayed that way," said the coach on Thursday. "I believe that the team is willing to win every game, that they simply try to win every game." After the recent 2:1 defeat against FC Schalke, they should be able to do so again this weekend.
Fiél can, somewhat surprisingly, rely on midfielder Florian Flick again for the complicated away assignment in Paderborn. The 23-year-old was back in full team training ahead of Saturday's match, as Fiél reported on . The second-division club had previously announced at the start of the week that Flick would have to sit out training for a few days due to an ankle injury. "I don't think it's a miracle recovery," said Fiél. "It wasn't that bad, thank God. I'm delighted that he's back."
By contrast, none of the long-term injured players such as Johannes Geis or Christopher Schindler have made it back into team training yet. Regardless of this, Fiél is expecting a "tough task" against the East Westphalians, as he warned. "Paderborn are in a really good moment."
The East Westphalians have won their last two competitive matches, most recently beating Bundesliga side SC Freiburg in the DFB Cup. "This is an opponent who likes to have the ball, who always presents you with challenges," said the coach. For this reason, it is important how his team handles the ball themselves.
- With an eye on maintaining their unbeaten streak in Bundesliga 2, 1st FC Nuremberg will face SC Paderborn on Saturday, a team that's currently in good form, having won their last two competitive matches.
- Midfielder Florian Flick, who was initially expected to miss training due to an ankle injury, will likely be available for 1st FC Nuremberg's crucial Bundesliga 2 away game against SC Paderborn, as coach Cristian Fiél announced during team training.
Source: www.dpa.com
