Magdeburg dominated the game against Hertha, but still lost. Things should be different on Saturday. The guests are FC Schalke 04.
The 1. FC Magdeburg (12.) and his supporters can expect a big football evening against the on Saturday (February 24th). FC Schalke 04 (14.), who is returning to Magdeburg for the first time in more than 23 years. In terms of the table, the duel does not suggest a game at the highest second division level, but the tradition of the clubs and the enormous fan support will ensure that from 8:30 p.m. it will be a real floodlit blast in the sold-out stadium with 27,000 spectators and with fresh MDCC arena equipped with grass.
FCM expects tough duels
For the FCM it will be a matter of putting the so far balanced start to the year – with two wins, one draw and two defeats – on the winning side with a home win – and thus getting more space between themselves and the relegation zone. In order to achieve this, the most important thing against the robust FC Schalke will be to physically resist or avoid intense duel situations. “It’s an important aspect for us that we play the spaces more quickly and don’t get too involved in the infights, because they’re physically really strong. And they’re really good in the transition game when they win the ball,” said FCM coach Christian Titz Matchday PK lays out the route.
Unlucky Teixeira
In addition to Jean Hugenot, who is missing due to a red card, and Herbert Bockhorn, who is out with an infection, the FCM also has to rely on new signings and offensive hope for the “three points” endeavor Bryan Teixeira waive. According to Titz, the 23-year-old tore a ligament in his foot while attempting a shot during training and will be out for between three and five weeks. “It’s a real shame and I feel very sorry for the player because he presented himself well and quickly got used to the routine,” said the FCM coach about the player on loan from Sturm Graz.
The task of scoring points will therefore lie with the other players who will be playing for the FCM on Saturday, but a homecoming player from the opponent’s side will also be the focus of the game.
Player to Watch – Paul Seguin
Curious but true: The only true Magdeburger on the field will be Paul Seguin. And he plays for FC Schalke 04. The xx-year-old was born in Magdeburg, but has never played for FCM. His father Wolfgang, who is an FCM club legend and left his footprints in Saxony-Anhalt in the golden seventies, is different.
The direct comparison
Since the turn of the millennium there have only been two duels between 1. FC Magdeburg and Schalke 04. And the Knappen won both. In the first leg of the current second division round, the teams offered all fans a seven-goal spectacle – with the better outcome for Schalke, who started a furious comeback after being 2-0 down. Silas Gnaka scored twice and Connor Krempicki scored on matchday 6 3:4 from FCM’s perspective in front of 61,755 spectators in the Veltins Arena. If they had won, the FCM would have climbed into place in the table. But nothing came of it. Instead, the game was the end of a series of eight games without a win.
They could play like that
- Magdeburg: Reimann – T. Müller, Elfadli, Heber – El Hankouri, Condé, Gnaka, Bell Bell – Amaechi, Schuler, Atik
- Schalke 04: M. Müller – Kalas, Kaminski, Baumgartl – Schallenberg – Brunner, Idrizi, Seguin, Ouwejan – Karaman, Terodde
Watch the game live here
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