Prepping for the West Side Showdown - Thioune: "Let's Revel"
With some defensive hurdles on the horizon, Daniel Thioune is buzzing for Fortuna Düsseldorf's Saturday night tussle against FC Schalke 04 (8:30 pm/Sky and Sport1). "The stadium will be packed, and lots of Schalke faithful will be there. That's awesome, and I suppose it'll energize all the lads, perhaps propelling us to victory in front of a full house like we did a short while ago," said Fortuna's boss on Friday.
Thioune shrugged off any pressure generated by losing two successive games against Wehen Wiesbaden (1:3) and Greuther Fürth (0:1). "Two losses don't make this any simpler, but Schalke are hardly in a comfortable position themselves," declared Thioune. "It's a tough test, but we've gotta keep the spoils with us," stressed the coach, who must cope without defensive regulars Andre Hoffmann, Matthias Zimmermann, and Jordy de Wijs.
Thioune is now banking on Tim Oberdorf and Jamil Siebert at the back. "Losing Hoffmann and de Wijs is a heavy blow, but Oberdorf and Siebert have given us a solid foundation," explained the coach, who kicked off his 21-month stint in Düsseldorf with a 2:1 win against Schalke. Back then, the sides were reversed; Schalke on top, Fortuna at the bottom. "That was an impressive challenge back then. It's a cherished memory for me," said Thioune.
In the wake of their upcoming Bundesliga 2 duel against FC Schalke 04, Thioune emphasized the motivating influence of performing in front of a full house at Schalke Stadium. Despite facing some personnel woes in defense, Thioune reaffirmed Fortuna's ambition to triumph in this testing faceoff, with Schalke battling their own challenges in the league.
Enrichment Data Integration
- Team news and lineup adjustments:
- Thioune could see Giovanni Haag and Isak Bergmann Johannesson return from their suspensions, boosting the team's options up front.
- Dzenan Pejcinovic might form a partnership with Dawid Kownacki, while Fortuna's coach is exploring other potential lineup adjustments to strengthen their backline.
- Defensive concerns:
- Despite some vulnerabilities in the back, Fortuna has shown tenacity and resilience, staying competitive in recent matches despite conceding. Thioune is emphasizing the need for improved communication and focus in the defensive zone to halt opponents' advances.
- Inspiration from the crowd:
- Thioune is aware of the significant role the home crowd can play in boosting team morale and performance. He believes that an energetic atmosphere in Schalke Stadium could galvanize his team and help them climb back to form.
- Recent form and statistics:
- Fortuna Düsseldorf has enjoyed a mixed season, with three wins, two losses, and five draws in their last 10 league games. They've averaged 2.0 goals from 4.8 shots on target and 12.1 attempts, with 51.7% possession and 5.2 corners per game. Their record against Schalke is positive, having not lost in their last four encounters, including a 2-0 victory in their last clash.
