News Focus
- Both coaches select identical XIs from their midweek victories
- Uwe Koschinat keeps faith with Essen side that defeated Ulm
- Heiko Vogel maintains same Fürth team after Düsseldorf win
- First leg of the 2. Bundesliga promotion/relegation play-off kicks off at Stadion an der Hafenstraße
Uwe Koschinat has chosen to field the same eleven players who beat Ulm in their previous match. The Rot-Weiss Essen manager trusts the 3-3-2-2 formation that brought success last time out. Goalkeeper Felix Golz keeps his place in goal. The back three consists of Felix Hüning, John Rios Alonso and Tobias Kraulich. In midfield, Eric Kostka lines up alongside Jonas Hofmann and Jano Swajkowski. Kaito Mizuta and Simon Müsel play in attacking roles. They support the front two of Valdrin Safi and Jelani Cuber Potocnik.
Heiko Vogel has also decided against making changes following his side’s victory over Düsseldorf. The Greuther Fürth boss sticks with a 4-1-4-1 system for this away leg. Leon Prüfrock starts in goal. The defensive line features Marco Dehm, Maximilian Ziereis, Nico Elvedi and Marco Itter. Julian Will plays alone in defensive midfield. Julian Klaus, Branimir Hrgota, Philipp Srbeny and Mohamed Ltaief play in advanced positions. Noel Futkeu leads the attack as the sole striker.
This clash marks the first leg of the promotion/relegation play-off between Germany’s second and third tiers. Essen finished third in the 3. Liga and hope to secure a historic promotion. Fürth ended 16th in the 2. Bundesliga and are fighting to keep their place in the division.