Nuremberg (dpa / lby) - According to its sports director Olaf Rebbe, the sobering first half of the season at 1. FC Nuremberg has made the team more mature. "We suffered together," said the 44-year-old in a club interview with the second division soccer team published on Thursday. The experience from the first half of the season is the only good thing. "We'll eat the soup together and come out stronger," promised the sports official.
Before the season, the FCN leadership had given a place in the top six as a goal. With only five wins, the "Club" ended the preliminary round as eleventh in the table. "In the tight games, we didn't manage to step it up a notch, defend or hold the lead," Rebbe complained.
The sports director kept a low profile on possible additions during the winter break. In general, he trusts the current squad. "At some point, however, you get to a point where, given the number of injuries, our own on-board resources are no longer sufficient or we also have to increase the number," said Rebbe.
Goalkeeper Christian Mathenia (shoulder injury) and defender Erik Wekesser (torn cruciate ligament) will not play again this season. It is also uncertain whether defender James Lawrence will be able to play in the second half of the season after tearing his medial ligament and median meniscus in his knee. The traditional Franconian club starts on January 29 with a home game against FC St. Pauli.
