Alemannia Aachen welcomes the in-form U23s of Fortuna Düsseldorf under floodlights. Numerous players are out.

Second-placed Alemannia Aachen host leaders Fortuna Düsseldorf II. According to the annual table of the Regionalliga West, this is the starting position ahead of the floodlit match at the Tivoli on Friday evening (7.30 p.m., RS live ticker).

However, Aachen are naturally at the top of the overall table and are well on their way to the long-awaited promotion. Düsseldorf’s reserves are in ninth place, 17 points behind. However, since Jens Langeneke took over as coach from Nicolas Michaty in the fall, Fortuna have been in peak form and have worked their way up from a relegation spot to a secure midfield position.

“This is a U-team that is in great form and plays good soccer,” warned Aachen coach Heiner Backhaus of the opponents, who have only failed to win one of their last eight games. Düsseldorf have recently celebrated four clean sheets.

How does Backhaus intend to break this streak? “Against a young, inexperienced team like Düsseldorf, it’s important to show toughness on the pitch,” he says. And, of course, the energy of the Tivoli Stadium should also benefit the hosts

Over 25,000 fans are expected on Friday evening. The last time there were more was at the season opener against Wuppertaler SV (27,300). Only once in history have more spectators attended a match in the Regionalliga West. With the expected number of spectators, the traditional club would play the third-best attended game in league history against Düsseldorf.

“We will once again have a wall behind us that will unconditionally whip us forward,” says Backhaus. “There will be eleven players on the pitch tomorrow who are ready to hurt Düsseldorf. It’s all about energy and we have enough of that at home games. We will run for our lives.”

Alemannia Aachen: Appeal against Schwermann’s suspension

However, the 42-year-old coach is likely to be concerned about the personnel situation. Nils Winter tore a ligament in training and may need an operation. He adds Sascha Marquet, Aldin Dervisevic, Vincent Schaub, Ulrich Bapoh, Anas Bakhat and Dustin Wilms to the large injury list.

Also missing are Franko Uzelac, who is ill, Anton Heinz, who is suspended for four matches, and Julian Schwermann, who is serving a four-match suspension. Aachen have lodged an appeal against this. “The absences hurt, but we never complained. We’ve still got enough lads who are still hoofing it and will give their all for this club,” said Backhaus, not wanting to use the tense situation as an excuse.