Football Season Guide

Osnabruck returned to the second tier after a two-year absence. The Purple-Whites started the season slowly but clicked into gear around November and never looked back, they eventually sealed automatic promotion on the final day after a dramatic late winner. Boss Tobias Schweinsteiger, older brother of former German international Bastian, was quick to make an impression in his first head-coach role last season and is hungry to improve his reputation further this coming campaign. Osnabruck have had to deal with the loss of key player Simakala, who left to join Holstein Kiel. The attacker recorded 19 goals and 11 assists last season so his presence will be missed. Wreidt has come the other way from Kiel but may not be as influential as the former. There have been plenty of new recruits in the summer. Thalhammer and Gnasse in midfield should help compensate for the loss of regular Kohler while experienced defender Ajdini has also returned to the club after a spell away. The loan signing of goalkeeper Grill from Union Berlin is a good bit of business and he is expected to be an important figure in between the sticks. Makridis and Conteh still have a lot to offer in forward areas and this should help to make Osnabruck dangerous. There should continue to be a strong togetherness under Schweinsteiger this season and this will help make them competitive. Home form will be important in picking up points as they could be vulnerable on their travels.