Nurnberg and Fortuna Dusseldorf will play an all-Bundesliga 2 fixture in the DFB Pokal round of 16 on Wednesday.
The two Bundesliga 2 teams are having very different seasons in the German second division and the cup tie will provide some distraction from the league campaign.
Guten Morgen 🤗Wir haben heute die Pressekonferenz im Programm (11:45 Uhr ⏰). Anschließend geht’s für das Team nach Nürnberg.#f95 | 🔴⚪️ | #田中碧 pic.twitter.com/5tUz0K9WDs— Fortuna Düsseldorf (@f95) February 7, 2023
Guten Morgen 🤗Wir haben heute die Pressekonferenz im Programm (11:45 Uhr ⏰). Anschließend geht’s für das Team nach Nürnberg.#f95 | 🔴⚪️ | #田中碧 pic.twitter.com/5tUz0K9WDs
Fortuna Dusseldorf are sixth in the Bundesliga 2. The team is seven points off the promotion-relegation playoff place in the division. Promotion to the Bundesliga could still be on the cards for Fortuna.
Nurnberg are not having the same success this season that Fortuna Dusseldorf are experiencing. The Old Masters are 16th in the standings, which is the relegation playoff place.
Nurnberg could be relegated to Liga 3 at the end of this season although the bottom of the table is tight.
The teams played once previously this season in the Bundesliga 2. Nurnberg picked up a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from Kwadwo Duah in the second half. Nurnberg are on a three-match winning streak against Fortuna in all competitions, claiming a win to nil in each game.
However, Nurnberg are playing poorly this season and are on a two-game losing streak in the Bundesliga 2 ahead of the match in the DFB Pokal. Six of Nurnberg’s last seven games in all competitions ended without a win.
Fortuna Dusseldorf won just one of their last four games in the Bundesliga 2. Although they are also struggling for form, Fortuna have played far better football this season in all competitions.
Neither side has played a Bundesliga club in the DFB Pokal. Nurnberg and Fortuna Dusseldorf both reached the last 16 by playing sides outside the German top flight.
Fortuna coach Daniel Thioune has five players currently receiving treatment for injuries. Defenders Michal Karbownik and Matthias Zimmermann are both ruled out with muscle injuries.
Midfielders Niko Vukancic and Kwadwo Baah are both unlikely to play due to calf and hip injuries, respectively. Defender Nicolas Gavory has a tendon injury and may not make the squad.
For Nurnberg coach Markus Weinzierl, he has six players on the injury list. Forward Danny Blum is a doubt with a calf injury. Defenders Jannes Kilian Horn, James Lawrence, Tim Handwerker, and Erik Wekesser are all injured and set to miss the match.
The injuries should take their toll on Nurnberg in the cup match, as Fortuna Dusseldorf pick up a win. The Reds should win 2-0 and end their poor run of results against Nurnberg in all competitions.