FCN against Ingolstadt: Does the double test break the curse?

FC Nürnberg has refreshed an old reminder of past unsuccessful duels with an impressive performance in the upcoming double test against FC Ingolstadt. The last encounter between the two teams, which ended in a relegation secondary in 2020, is remembered by the Nuremberg fans as a traumatic experience. At that time, Fabian Schleusener scored the decisive goal in the last minute that secured the whereabouts in the 2nd league. However, the FCN has not been able to win against Ingolstadt since this historical moment. Since then, 0:14 goals have been made in four encounters, which further tightens the nerve -wracking balance.

In the 2021/22 season, a clash ended 0-0, followed by a clear 0: 5 defeat. A test game in October 2021 was lost 0: 7, and another friendly game in March 2024 also ended with a defeat (0: 2). For the upcoming test game in Nuremberg, which will take place on Sunday, a secret game was announced at 11 a.m. and a public game at 1:30 p.m. on the training area. The public unit is broadcast live at Club TV and admission is free for spectators.

preparation for the test

The players Finn Jeltsch (18) and Jens Castrop (21) only completed a slight running unit at the public training session on the Valznerweiher. Trainer Miroslav Klose expressed that this measure of the load control serves to optimally prepare the team for the upcoming test. In addition, Leih striker Janni Serra (26) had to leave the training on Friday due to a blow to the big toe.

A special event for the team is also on the plan: A team evening at Adidas, which, among other things, serves to better integrate the new FCN players into the group.

book on the relegation drama

in parallel to the sporting preparations, Oliver Fritsch has published a book on the relegation drama of 1. FC Nürnberg against FC Ingolstadt. The title of the work is "Football as a near -death experience". Fritsch describes his letter as a kind of therapy to process the experiences. He reflects on the emotions of the fans and describes a concise moment during the game: a fan that was sitting on a beer box and watching the action with big eyes. This illustrates the emotional waves that the success of the FCN stirred at the time.

The book, published by Manfred Rothenberger at Starfruit Publications, also illuminates the dark sides of football and its commercialization, while Fritsch also emphasizes the indestructible power of the game. Talks with players and referees around the topic of controversial stoppage time give the work an additional dimension. Fritsch expresses doubts about the positive effects of the experience from the relegation on the new season, but the national loyalty and life with the club are central topics that he deals with together with co-author Roland Wittner.