FCM without math: who can replace the key player with Fürth?

FCM without math: who can replace the key player with Fürth?

In football, the failure of a key player is often a difficult blow for a team. The 1. FC Magdeburg, currently in second place in the table of the 2nd Bundesliga, is now faced with this challenge. Marcus Mathisen, a central part of the defense, will be missing in the coming game against Greuther Fürth due to a yellow-red card. Mathis's absence could have a significant impact on the defensive of the team.

His role in the team is not easy to replace. Mathisen does not play the classic position of a defensive midfielder, but is rather a third central defender within the triple chain. He has established himself as a key player who makes both defensive and offensive contributions. An analysis shows that with an impressive quota of 85 percent, it is one of the best playmakers in the league for progressive passes. On average, he plays 13 such passes per game. In addition, he has an outstanding quota of 60 percent in air duels.

The alternatives on Mathisen's position

The question arises: Who can fill the gap that leaves maths? The options are limited. Among the potential successors, Tobias Müller, who is able to reproduce Mathisen's style of play. Despite his few missions this season (only three minutes), he was able to achieve a higher success rate than math in defensive duels in the past season. However, this raises concerns about his current fitness, since he has hardly collected game practice in the current season.

Another option would be Jean Hugonet, who has a different game view. He is more than a balloter, which is reflected in his 9.2 intercepted balls per game. Nevertheless, the changeover to the Mathisen position for Hugonet could be difficult, since its progressive passports at 6.7 per game are significantly below Mathisen's values. However, his solid defensive game could help stabilize the defensive.

Andi Hoti also offers approaches as a possible solution. This season, he has improved a lot of defensively and is close to Hugonet with 9.1 intercepted balls per game. However, it could also correspond to the profile of the defensive fight with less focus on the game structure.

Daniel Heber is another option, but it comes more through its speed and dynamics than through building game. He could possibly be underwhelmed in the central role. Silas Gnaka, who has also been used defensively in the past, does not have the physical presence to act in the triple chain. Rather, his strengths are in the central midfield, where his skills can be used in the ball distribution.

The trainers of Magdeburg therefore face the challenge of finding the best possible solution to compensate for the loss of performance of Marcus Mathisen. The upcoming game against Greuther Fürth will show how well the 1. FC Magdeburg can deal with this situation and which players make the leap into the starting XI. A good result could indicate the depth of the squad and help to maintain the ambitions for the current season.

Whoever will appear for maths will have to bear a serious responsibility in order to maintain the strong defensive of the Magdeburgers. The team is on the right course and the coming matchday will show how well you can manage crisis situations.