By Matthew Koch
The 2nd league starts on Friday. Expert Torsten Mattuschka chooses his five promotion candidates.
Schalke is a sure climber
“Unlike when we were relegated two years ago, the core of the team was able to stay together. They are qualitatively doubled in almost all positions. That’s rare in league two. Up front, Simon Terodde and Sebastian Polter can play alone or together. In central midfield there is a huge selection with Lino Tempelmann, Ron Schallenberg, Danny Latza and Paul Seguin. If one fails, you can catch it. The axis is there. The fans are incredible. Schalke got it two years ago, although the conditions were much worse. That’s why Schalke is clearly number one for me.”
▶ Probability of advancement: 100 percent
Schalke striker Simon Terodde will continue to expand his goal record in the 2nd division (currently 172 goals) Photo: Thomas Frey/dpa
Hürzeler brings St. Pauli far ahead
“They played a great second half of the season, which took them from 15th to fifth place. Under coach Fabian Hürzeler, they were also able to convince me in the top games – with the ball in a 3-4-3 system, against the ball in a 5-3-2 system. In their winning streak, they have won many games by one goal. That’s what makes it so important in the 2nd league to be compact and want to work defensively as well. Football with a lot of possession, where the opponent is often dominated, can lead to success. That’s why I see St. Pauli way up in the table.”
▶ Probability of advancement: 75 percent
Karlsruhe beckons the big surprise
Returned from Gladbach to a heart club Karlsruhe: Lars Stindl (here in the test against Liverpool) Photo: Daniel ROLAND / AFP
“There’s always a surprise team. I’ll just knock out the KSC. 80 percent of the squad has been preserved. Many players are very experienced. There is a Sebastian Jung at the back who has even played an international match. Philip Heise, Marcel Franke and Robin Bormuth, who all know the second division, are also available for defense. Marvin Wanitzek and the experienced warrior Jérôme Gondorf are involved in midfield. With Paul Nebel and Tim Rossmann, two young players could also march. Lars Stindl from Gladbach is a king transfer. He has played 376 Bundesliga games. With Fabian Schleusener on top, it could be something.”
▶ Probability of advancement: 55 percent
HSV doesn’t make it again
“Hamburg has been stuck in the 2nd Bundesliga for five years. Nevertheless, HSV is somehow always the top favorite. With Immanuel Pherai from Braunschweig they have strengthened themselves well. There could be problems up front if attacker Robert Glatzel were to drop out. There is no right substitute. HSV didn’t do that well defensively, even though they scored 66 points. If they get the balance between offense and defence, they will definitely be up there.”
▶ Probability of advancement: 45 percent
Hertha is the piñata of the 2nd division
Captain Marco Richter in the friendly against Liège Photo: City Press GmbH
“As with Schalke two years ago, it is now with Hertha: Nobody knows what will happen until the last day of the transfer period. The club may lose Dodi Lukébakio and Marco Richter. It’s currently a surprise. The question is how much money Hertha can raise to be able to hit the transfer market themselves. You still need two or three character heads – it just doesn’t work with boys. It will be important that the fans identify with the new team. Coach Pal Dardai will be an important building block. If the start is successful, 40,000, 50,000 fans will surely come to the Olympic Stadium.”
▶ Probability of advancement: 45 percent