Hansa Rostock head into Sunday’s Bundesliga 2 matchday No. 1 fixture with Heidenheim unbeaten in three straight games against their opening day rival.
These teams faced off three times in 2021-22 in Bundesliga 2 and DFB Pokal fixtures. Hansa Rostock picked up a win and two draws in those three fixtures.
🥁 Wir präsentieren: Den Mannschaftsrat für die Spielzeit 2022/23! 💪🏻🔵⚪️❤️ Neben Markus #Kolke, der die Kogge nach wie vor als #Kapitän aufs Feld führen wird, gehören Damian #Roßbach, John #Verhoek, Thomas #Meißner und Lukas #Fröde dem Gremium an ☝🏻 #hansa #2liga pic.twitter.com/HhJ3iJ2Ezz— F.C. Hansa Rostock (@HansaRostock) July 12, 2022
🥁 Wir präsentieren: Den Mannschaftsrat für die Spielzeit 2022/23! 💪🏻🔵⚪️❤️ Neben Markus #Kolke, der die Kogge nach wie vor als #Kapitän aufs Feld führen wird, gehören Damian #Roßbach, John #Verhoek, Thomas #Meißner und Lukas #Fröde dem Gremium an ☝🏻 #hansa #2liga pic.twitter.com/HhJ3iJ2Ezz
Hansa Rostock and Heidenheim had differing campaigns in 2021-22. Heidenheim fought for promotion to the Bundesliga but came up eight points short of the top three.
A poor run of results down the stretch doomed Heidenheim to another season of Bundesliga 2 football.
Hansa Rostock, on the other hand, finished the season in 13th place. Rostock took 41 points from 34 games and failed to win any other their last six fixtures. They were nine points ahead of the relegation-playoff place.
Last season, Hansa Rostock finished the campaign with a –11-goal difference. Hansa scored 41 times and conceded 52 goals.
Heidenheim may have been well up the table, finishing sixth in the division, but they too had a minus goal difference.
Frank Schmidt’s team was –2 in goals with 43 scored and 45 conceded. If Heidenheim are to make a run at promotion, they must sort out their defensive issues.
Hansa Rostock coach Jens Hartel has brought in a handful of players. Midfielder Morris Schrotter is the only player the club has paid a fee for thus far.
He arrives from Dynamo Dresden for £90,000. New goalkeeper Nils-Jonathan Korber has joined from Hertha Berlin. He could start the match in goal.
One of Rostock’s biggest offseason signings is Sebastian Thill. He played for Sheriff Tiraspol in the Champions League last season.
He brings experience of scoring goals to the club. Thill scored 10 goals in 40 matches in all competitions.
Heidenheim coach Schmidt has some new reinforcements ready to play this weekend. Right winger Jan-Niklas Beste joined from Werder Bremen. Centre-back duo of Thomas Keller signed from Inglostadt and Lennard Maloney arrived from Borussia Dortmund II.
Although Heidenheim finished higher up the table last season, Hansa Rostock went unbeaten in three straight games against them. Last season, Dutch forward John Verhoek scored 17 goals for Hansa Rostock.
Hansa were able to retain Verhoek’s services for now. He could get on the scoresheet this weekend as Hansa Rostock go four matches unbeaten against Heidenheim. Rostock should post a 2-0 win at home to start the season.