This encounter includes two teams which different form. Aue was not able to get more as 3 Points from the last 5 games (4 defeats) while Nürnberg coming in absolutely top shape with collecting 13 Points in the last 5 matches. They have done their work and are back in business after an horrible start. With the next win they can close the gap to the top more and more and with only 2 Points behind they can hope for more. On the other side needs Aue every Point to leave the danger zone. Therefore it can be a hard fight today.
Aue had good performances and invest a lot for their game play but they was not able to reward them for this they did. Therefore they have to less Points and the situation is not the best right now. After good games like to Dresden and KSC they can not continue the way they played and had to bear with some set backs. The last game was also good but they lost 2-6 to 1860 but this was only due to some mistakes from referee who turned this match to the other side. After falling down to relegation place 16 it is very hard to find good words also some problems with their attacker Köpke who could not train the last days and is a big doubt now. He scored already 6 goals and is very hard to replace because none in the squad is a real alternative to him here. Options are Wegner but he was injured for long time and not inform now, Toshev plays no role in Coach Dotchev’s system, in this case midfield player Adler or Nazarov must play in attack and replace Köpke there. All other players are ready, only long term injured players like keeper Männel, Bertram and Kluft. For this reason not many changes are expected as the team did a good job in Munich despite the lost game.
The start was nothing for Nürnberg and their big aims but after winning to Bielefeld they were able to start a good run and won 3 matches without conceding a single goal although the opponents were tough. Only in Cup and the last league match they were stopped. Nevertheless they want to continue the good results and coming closer to the top. The team looks much more balanced as to begin but have to replace some important guys now. Of course with Alushi, Margreitter and Parker are three players back in team training who were injured longer now but should be no option for the match in Aue. Also Erras is working on his comeback while new injured Matavz is out for some weeks now and let Coach Schwartz think a lot who can replace him. Instead of Matavz can Sylvestr or Teuchert play in attack but also Burgstaller is an option in 4-2-3-1 system. Also a 4-4-2 is possible with the named players. Additional not sure is if both missing players Bulthuis and Behrens from Monday can play or not. If the situation is getting better for Schwartz, if not he has to think about. In central midfield can play Leibold or Möhwald, central back Mühl. So he has some options as well.
