Magdeburg host Fortuna Dusseldorf on Saturday to kick off the Bundesliga 2 season. The home side has a strong record against Fortuna in all competitions heading into the fixture.
Overall, Magdeburg have posted a head-to-head record of 3W-2D-1L against Fortuna in the last six encounters between the teams. These sides have not played since the 2007-08 season, however.
#ThrowbackThursday 🔙👀#f95 | 🔴⚪️https://t.co/hoVcN352hE— Fortuna Düsseldorf (@f95) July 14, 2022
#ThrowbackThursday 🔙👀#f95 | 🔴⚪️https://t.co/hoVcN352hE
This season marks the first time Magdeburg have been in the Bundesliga 2 for some time. The Club were promoted from the Liga 3 at the end of last season after finishing first in the division.
Fortuna Dusseldorf is up first for Magdeburg in the Bundesliga 2 as the latter aims to avoid relegation back to the third division. Fortuna, on the other hand, will be aiming for a promotion fight.
Last season, Dusseldorf ended the campaign in 10th place. Die Roten had an excellent end to the season going unbeaten in five of their last six matches in the league. However, Fortuna finished 14 points off of third place.
Magdeburg won’t find life in the Bundesliga 2 easy. However, the new boys on the block will have momentum going into the season after gaining promotion last term from the Liga 3.
A number of players have joined Magdeburg this offseason to improve the team’s quality and bring it up to Bundesliga 2 standards. Defence has been the key for coach Christian Titz this offseason.
He has seven new defensive players at the club including goalkeeper Tim Boss, centre-back Tim Stappmann, and Jamie Lawrence, who arrives from Bayern Munich II.
Fortuna Dusseldorf appointed coach Daniel Thioune to the position in February 2022. He now gets to begin a season with the club after playing the role of firefighter in 2021-22.
Die Roten have been less busy in the transfer market than Magdeburg. Three players have joined Fortuna this offseason.
Jordy de Wijs joined the club from English Championship side Queens Park Rangers. He will likely start in central defence on Saturday.
Left-back Ben Bockle has signed from Austria’s FC Liefering. Fortuna paid £900,000 to Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale for midfielder Ao Tanaka. His previous loan is now permanent.
Saturday’s match should see home side Magdeburg play with confidence. The newly promoted team will have momentum on their side and should post a matchday 1 win against Fortuna.
Magdeburg should pick up the victory 2-0 and lay down a marker for the new season.