Without a captain, but with a trio? There is a lot of turmoil in the Nuremberg squad before the guest appearance at leaders Regensburg. A new signing is about to make his debut in the FCN jersey.
Nuremberg (dpa / lby) - "Club" trainer Robert Klauß was impressed. Not from his 1. FC Nürnberg, whose soaring still continues after the derby victory over Fürth. Rather, the 36-year-old is impressed by the next opponent in the 2nd Bundesliga: SSV Jahn Regensburg. "I wish for Regensburg that not so many people underestimate this team and this club. That doesn't do them justice. They're just doing a good job," said Klauß full of appreciation before the game at Jahn on Saturday (3:30 p.m.).
Once again, the Nurembergers are guests early in the season with the Upper Palatinate. And once again Mersad Selimbegovic's team is first in the table at this point. "It feels like they're always top of the table when we play them," said Klauss, praising Regensburg's "successful path". "They are all good and experienced second division players. There is no way we will underestimate them." But: "Even if they have made a dream start, they are also beatable".
Nuremberg expect a balanced game. A game that is determined by many duels. The failure of defensive boss Christopher Schindler, who is strong in the air, weighs all the more bitterly. The 32-year-old captain suffered a muscle injury and will not be available, as Klauss announced. Whether new signing James Lawrence will be in the starting XI for this "is a matter of consideration. It's also a question of how long he'll have enough strength," explained Klauß.
Schindler's injury aside, the club's staffing situation looks good. The former Regensburg defender Erik Wekesser, who twisted his ankle in the cup, is "fully in training" again and, like Lino Tempelmann and Fabian Nürnberger, an option for the FCN squad.
With "a lot of willingness to run and duel toughness" the Franks want to stand up to Jahn. The Regensburg team started the new season with two wins in the league and the cup win over Cologne. "When you're in a phase like this, you have to keep your foot on the gas pedal. But we mustn't be too euphoric and think that it will continue like this on its own," warned Selimbegovic.
