In the first leg, Wuppertal SV were able to celebrate late against Alemannia Aachen. The WSV wants to score again with interim coach Christian Britscho.
Wuppertaler SV against Alemannia Aachen. After the first leg of the season opener already saw a great atmosphere at the Tivoli, a lot of drama and a late winner in extra time, the stadium at the zoo will also be the focus of attention at the start of the second half of the season on matchday 18 of the Regionalliga West.
Alemannia are in good form and will be looking to get revenge for the 2-1 defeat in the first leg. Meanwhile, things are not going so well for Wuppertal. The WSV have not won in three games, with their last result being a draw against 1. FC Düren (1-1).
“I thought we played okay in many phases against Düren,” said interim coach Christian Britscho at the WSV press conference. ”We didn’t play the stars from the sky, but that’s not to be expected at this time of year in Düren.”
In Düren, Britscho made his debut after the dismissal of Hüzeyfe Dogan. “We’ve been working together for a little over a week, and not everyone is yet clear on the old head’s thought processes,” the 53-year-old said, providing insights into his first days as WSV head coach. “It’s all about these processes, and I have to praise the team for that. They are very eager to learn and always fully committed.”
This will also be important against Alemannia. The team from Aachen have won seven of their last eight games and have only lost one game since Heiner Backhaus was appointed as their coach. “Aachen has a clear plan and a team that executes it one hundred percent. They often take the lead with early pressing and defend that tactically and physically very well,” said Britscho, analyzing the strengths of the current third-place team. ”Our job will be not to play into Aachen’s hands. We have to take the lead ourselves and show that it won’t go their way like it has in the last few weeks.”
Pytlik and Tunga will be missing – “the team is willing”
In addition to Kevin Pytlik, who is suspended, midfielder Steve Tunga (knee injury) will also be missing. “Otherwise, everyone should be on board,” said Britscho, who was able to give the all-clear for Niklas Dams and Charlison Benschop.
Will the WSV manage to repeat the result from the first leg in Aachen? “The memory is nice, of course, but we have to focus on now. That’s the deciding factor for now,” said defender Lion Schweers, who turned the first leg around with his goal in injury time (94th). Now he also wants to celebrate in his own stadium: ”I’m also looking forward to 4,000 spectators, maybe a few more will come. Without spectators, football is nothing. The more behind us, the better.”
Despite the current crisis, Schweers is confident that the team will soon overcome their low form: “Of course, this phase is not easy to handle, not for the team either. Nevertheless, we have worked on many details, very meticulously. The team is willing.” The Wuppertalers will have to bring this will to the pitch for 90 minutes against Aachen.