In the first leg, Wuppertaler SV celebrated a late victory against Alemannia Aachen. The WSV is looking to score again with interim coach Christian Britscho.
Wuppertaler SV vs. Alemannia Aachen. After the season opener saw a great atmosphere at the Tivoli, plenty of drama, and a late winner in extra time, all eyes will be on the Stadion am Zoo for the start of the second half of the Regionalliga West season on matchday 18.
Alemannia is in good form and looking to avenge its 1-2 defeat in the first leg. Meanwhile, things are not going so well in Wuppertal. WSV has been waiting for a win for three games, most recently drawing 1-1 with 1. FC Düren.
“I thought the game against Düren was okay in many phases,” said interim coach Christian Britscho at the WSV press conference. ”We didn’t play brilliantly, but that’s to be expected at this time of year in Düren.”
Britscho made his debut in Düren following the dismissal of Hüzeyfe Dogan. “We’ve been working together in this constellation for just over a week, so the old coach’s way of thinking isn’t clear to everyone yet,” said the 53-year-old, giving an insight 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.’
That will also be important against Alemannia. The Kaiserstädter have won seven of their last eight games and have lost only one game since Heiner Backhaus was hired as coach. “Aachen has a clear plan and a team that executes it 100 percent. They often take the lead with early pressing and defend very well, both tactically and physically,” said Britscho, analyzing the strengths of the current third-placed team. ‘Our task will be not to play into Aachen’s hands. We have to take the lead ourselves and show them that it won’t be like it has been in recent weeks.”
Pytlik and Tunga will be missing – ’The team is willing”
In addition to the suspended Kevin Pytlik, midfielder Steve Tunga (knee injury) will also be missing. “Otherwise, everyone should be on board,” said Britscho, giving the all-clear for Niklas Dams and Charlison Benschop.
Will WSV manage to repeat the result from the first leg in Aachen? “The memory is nice, of course, but we have to focus on the present. That’s the most important thing right now,” said defender Lion Schweers, who turned the first leg around with his goal in stoppage time (94th minute). Now he wants to celebrate in his own stadium: ”I’m also looking forward to 4,000 spectators, maybe a few more will join us. Football is nothing without spectators. The more people behind us, the better.”
Despite the current crisis, Schweers is confident that the team will soon put its slump behind it: “This phase is obviously not easy to deal with, not even for the team. Nevertheless, we have worked on many details, very meticulously. The team is willing.” The Wuppertal team will have to show this determination on the pitch for 90 minutes against Aachen.