It is derby time !!! Ingolstadt hosts Nürnberg but the situation is a bit different to recent years. Normally Nürnberg talked from promotion before the season but failed huge and Ingolstadt is in the position to promote this season. They are leader and have 5 Points advantage to second and 6 Points to third place. This means with a win today they are very very close to promote. This is the first step from two which are needed or maybe they need 4 Points from the last 4 games they have to play. According to the situation it can be that they can be promoted next weekend because Karlsruhe plays Darmstadt in a direct duel what helps Ingolstadt additional.
It is absolutely clear, the leader has managed to improve a lot and one of the key facts are that they are a top team at home too and not only on the road like recent seasons. The next thing is that they have a very good defensive line who works great and also one of the best offensive lines who scored second most goals right now. Some of their players made a big step too, above all key player Gross who plays an incredible good season. Additional fact is that most of their new signings put them on the next level with their experience and strength. This time they have some players doubtful like striker Hinterseer who has some problems with illness, his replacement can be Hartmann who have scored 44 goals for Ingolstadt so far and with two more he can overcome the top man Leitl. He is very hot to get the job done this season already. But he has also time next season because he signed a new contract over two years this weekend. Next problem is Danillo who can only play with a special shoe. It is not sure if he stands on the pitch today. Sure not available is defender and captain Matip, he got injured and the season is over for him. Nevertheless most of the squad is ready and Coach Hasenhüttl can choose from a lot. He wants the next step in promotion race anyway.
A big disappointment is the season from Nürnberg because most of the experts saw them under the top teams to promote and also their own aim was this too. They had a lot of problems, and the squad was also not like they expected. Some of the new signed players are far away from their best level. Also they wanted to go an absolutely new way and signed an unexperienced Coach with newcomer Ismael. This worked not well and they must change to Weiler who is also unknown in Germany but he does maybe some good things but overall it was to late to get a better outcome. They are absolutely weak on the road and got not much there, what allowed them not to dream from more. For this match they have three big question marks with captain Polak, defender Petrak and midfield player Mössmer. Coach Weiler said that he is very happy if one of these guys can start today. This is not the best sign anyway.
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