Fussballstadt
·30 July 2019
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Yahoo sportsFussballstadt
·30 July 2019
1860 Munich vs Zwickau – Wednesday, July 31, 18:00BST/19:00CEST – Grünwalder Stadion, Munich, Germany
It has been a frustrating start for 1860 Munich. A 1-1 draw against Preußen Münster was followed by a 2-1 defeat to Eintracht Braunschweig.
That defeat, in particular, has caused some consternation in Munich. Head coach Daniel Bierofka felt that his side could have won the game had it not been for referee Dr Martin Thomsen. “We would have won the game had it not been for the referee’s inconsistency,” Bierofka said this week.
“His decisions were not sensible,” Bierofka said. “One time he decides this, another time something completely different.” Bierofka was especially frustrated about Felix Weber’s double booking and felt that several Braunschweig players should have also been sent off if the referee had kept a clear line throughout the game.
Aside from the referee and the results Bierofka, however, has been satisfied with his club’s performances. “What we are showing is very good,” Bierofka said. The only thing still lacking is our ability to put away chances. Our possession times have increased, our transition game is better, and we don’t rely on long balls anymore.
Hence, Bierofka is optimistic ahead of Wednesday’s game against a Zwickau side that has started with a win and a draw into the new season. In fact, Zwickau should have won the game this weekend against Magdeburg but left out to many chances.
“We were the better team but forgot to award ourselves,” head coach Joe Enochs said. While Zwickau struggled to score the winner, they never were threatened by Magdeburg and are one of the best defensive sides in the third division. Hence, with 1860 struggling to score goals, the Lions might have to win this one by scoring one goal and keeping a clean sheet in the back.
Efkan Bekiroglu #20 – 1860 Munich
Sometimes it is more important to keep a player than to sign new once. That was certainly the case for 1860 Munich when it came to playmaker Efkan Bekiroglu. The central midfielder had offers from Bundesliga 2 sides and could have easily left this summer. But while 1860 struggled financially to sign new players, they were able to retain the 23-year-old midfielder, who will be crucial in this game if 1860 finally want to collect all three points from a match this season.
Marcus Godinho #2 – FSV Zwickau
Marcus Godinho is unlikely to start the game for Zwickau on Wednesday. Nonetheless, the Canadian national team right-back is an interesting player. Made largely responsible for Canada’s early exit from this summer’s Gold Cup the 22-year-old highlighted that he still needs to develop his game. But a move from Scotland to Germany should aid Godinho as he can expect to benefit from Joe Enochs’ tactical discipline, which should also help the Canadian national team that despite all their attacking talent still has significant holes in the defence.
Futbolgrad Network Prediction:1860 Munich vs Zwickau – 1-0
1860 Munich:
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Bonmann – Paul, Berzel, Erdmann, Steinhart – Wein, Dressel – Kindsvater, Bekiroglu, Greilinger – Mölders
Head Coach: Daniel Bierofka
FSV Zwickau:
Formation: 3-1-3-3
Brinkies – Hehne, Frick, Odabas – Reinhardt – Schröter, Jensen, Miatke – König, Viteritti, Wegkamp
Head Coach: Joe Enochs
Manuel Veth is the owner and Editor in Chief of the Futbolgrad Network. He also works as a freelance journalist and among others contributes to Forbes.com and Pro Soccer USA. He holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in History from King’s College London, and his thesis is titled: “Selling the People’s Game: Football’s transition from Communism to Capitalism in the Soviet Union and its Successor States,” which is available HERE. Originally from Munich, Manuel has lived in Amsterdam, Kyiv, Moscow, Tbilisi, London, and currently is located in Victoria BC, Canada. Follow Manuel on Twitter @ManuelVeth.