Football Season Guide

After dramatically missing on promotion in the play-off against Eintracht Frankfurt last year Nurnberg failed to keep the core of the squad and logically some of the players that really impressed departed. The most important departure though was that of coach Rene Weiler, he was picked as manager of the Season back in May, and this forced the Board to look for a replacement. The Bavarians chose the vastly experienced in this level Alois Schwartz, who overachieved in all of the last three seasons with what was a modest club that hardly had any money to spend. Schwartz’s conservative tactics fit Nurnberg’s style of play as the Bavarians prefer to sit deep and operate mainly on counterattacks even in their home games. After going so close last year Nurnberg are expected to be amongst the contenders again this season, but the squad is small and especially in attack there is serious lack of options. All this makes the coming few weeks vital for the team as new names must be signed or the first injury-crises will expose massive weaknesses. Fullkrug is without a doubt the biggest loss from those that left and without him Guido Burgstaller looks hopelessly isolated up front. He is not even a typical striker and more of a winger, but the Austrian scores a lot of goals and is very useful to lead the fast breaks. Schwartz hinted that he might give another chance in the club to Sylvestr, who had two awful years after winning the Golden Boot in Bundesliga 2 three season ago when playing for Erzgebirge Aue. The Slovakian definitely have the potential to lead the attack but the big question is what damage to his form and confidence were made by the 24 months with only 9 starts. The ageless veteran Schafer will be pushed for starting place between the posts by both Kirschbaum and Rakovsky, while Brecko, Sepsi, Margreitter and Bulthuis will be the likely starters in defence. Hovland and Leibold are the only quality covers though and as mentioned above Nurnberg need to sign more players. In midfield Behrens and Erras should be regulars, but the latter will be injured in the first few months and this should give a chance to Mohwald. The newcomer Kempe is expected to operate down the right, or left wing, where Gislason and the only other new signing Salli are also hoping to impress. Just like in all other zones of the pitch Nurnberg are lacking covers in the middle of the park, but coach Schwartz is used to work with restricted squads and his previous successes suggest that he can be trusted. Will that be enough to see the Bavarians promoted is yet to be seen?