Schalke's Decision on de Wijs Unveiled
Fortuna Düsseldorf's fears have been confirmed - Jordy de Wijs (28) won't be making an appearance against Schalke this weekend. The Dutch right-back has been sidelined by muscular issues, and his recovery progressed at a snail's pace. Fortuna Düsseldorf's head coach, Daniel Thioune (49), spoke candidly about the situation during a press conference on Friday.
De Wijs Relegated to the Sidelines
Thioune broke the news straightaway, "Unfortunately, Jordy won't be gracing the pitch against Schalke. The muscular issues he's dealing with are so glaring that playing him would be a reckless move. We can't risk a long-term setback for Jordy, so we've decided it's best to keep him out of the squad for now."
The Duo's Absence Leaves Fortuna in a Tight Spot
De Wijs and Andre Hoffmann (30), who's been out due to a shoulder injury, won't be joining forces in central defense against Schalke. Tim Oberdorf (26) looks set to step up in their absence. The only question is which tactical approach Thioune will opt for.
Thioune laid out their options, "With a 4-4-2 formation, Oberdorf and Jamil Siebert will be our central defenders. That's how we lined up in the cup match against Unterhaching. If we choose a 3-5-2 setup, both of them will be tasked with bolstering the defense."
The Impact of Their Absence
Thioune couldn't hide his disappointment. "Missing de Wijs and Hoffmann is a heavy blow. We used to concede few goals at the beginning of the season, earned a decent number of points, and always bounced back. They provided us with the stability we needed. Recently, however, we've faced more challenges."
Fortuna Düsseldorf has conceded 11 goals in their last five matches, compared to three at the start of the season. The coach must now rally the team to tighten their defensive unit and return to their early-season form.
What to Expect Against Schalke
De Wijs' unavailability promises an intriguing game against Schalke. Fortuna Düsseldorf supporters will be keen to see how Oberdorf navigates the challenge and what tactics Thioune deploys in their absence.
Some voices in the Düsseldorf community argue that the team should channel their energy into strengthening their 2nd league standing, rather than fixating solely on a return to the Bundesliga. Time will tell if they can pull off a remarkable performance despite these setbacks.
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Integrating Enrichment Data
With de Wijs and Hoffmann out, Fortuna Düsseldorf might opt for various tactical formations to compensate for their absence. Here are three options:
- 4-3-3: Goalkeeper , defenders and alongside a reliable center-back or defensive-minded midfielder. They could also field a creative midfielder like to support three attacking options, including and possibly others.
- 4-2-3-1: This formation would consist of a solid duo of and Klaus Sima Suso in the midfield, supported by Isak Bergmann Johanneson in an advanced role, while leaving room for an attacking midfielder like and Dawid Kownacki in the final third.
- 4-1-4-1: This setup would see or Klaus Sima Suso anchoring the midfield, with Isak Bergmann Johanneson and Jona Niemiec providing additional support to Dawid Kownacki and co.
These modifications would allow Fortuna Düsseldorf to maintain a balance between defense and attack, depending on their overall strategy and the strengths of their players.
