With three wins from three competitive matches, Fortuna Düsseldorf actually got off to an excellent start to the season. In the meantime, however, the engine is sputtering a bit.

It could have been so good: Just a few weeks ago, there was huge euphoria at Fortuna Düsseldorf. Two victories at the start, a commanding progress in the cup – but since then the Fortuna’s form curve has shown a slight downward trend. Coach Daniel Thioune’s team has collected only two points from the last three games and is in danger of slipping into midfield.

And yet, sporting director Klaus Allofs and sporting director Christian Weber had done their homework recently. With Kwadwo Baah, they brought in a talented outfielder, with Michal Karbownik, the sought-after reinforcement for the defence, and with Jorrit Hendrix, a hard-hitting six. In addition, the sales of Khaled Narey and Jakub Piotrowski generated transfer income. But already after the 2:2 at home against Greuther Fürth, there were the first whistles. The 2:2 at the bottom of the table Eintracht Braunschweig probably didn’t do any good. At least Nicolas Gavory, who has been ailing lately, scored a dream goal.

“The second goal looked like slapstick in the back. That shouldn’t happen like that if you have any ambitions,” Thioune said afterwards. He did not panic, however, as his final summary of the game showed: “I think we could have decided the game for ourselves and won it. But so could the Braunschweig side, so the point is fine.”

On Friday, SSV Jahn Regensburg will come to the Merkur Spielarena. The club from Bavaria had a similarly strong start to the season as Landeshauptstädter and should be looking to make amends after last Saturday’s 0:6 against Hannover 96. The squad also includes Nicklas Shipnoski. He was loaned to SSV Jahn by the Düsseldorf club for one year last winter.