Just five days after sharing the spoils with Fortuna Düsseldorf on Friday evening, the side in the shirts with the infamous hoop will be in action under the floodlights once again on Wednesday (kick-off 20:30 CEST). "On Wednesday in Leipzig, everything is re-set back to zero. Once again we will have the chance to secure a win." That applies to VfB just as it does to Leipzig, for which reason Tayfun Korkut is again expecting a tight game.
For the away game in a busy week of action, captain Christian Gentner & Co. can look forward to the backing of some 1,700 travelling VfB fans. "The fact that the hard core undertake such journeys to get behind us, even on a Wednesday night, deserves the utmost respect," according to VfB’s head coach. "Even away from home on a Wednesday night, we’ll have our chances again," insisted the utterly convinced 44-year-old.
“Get the momentum in a tight game on our side”
Mario Gomez, Nicolás Gonzalez & Co. had their chances to take the lead against Düsseldorf. "We at times had more chances on goal that we did in the latter half of last season – just our effectiveness is lacking somewhat at the moment." On Friday evening against Fortuna, just as was the case in many other Bundesliga games thus far, an open, end-to-end affair ensued. "Currently in the Bundesliga, the games are swinging back and forth – many of them remaining completely open right to the finish – because many sides have not yet found their balance," noted Tayfun Korkut on the first four matchdays.
The focus in Leipzig will be on "maintaining our good phases for longer periods, avoiding fluctuations in our game and remaining stable over the complete 90 minutes". The VfB coach considers this Wednesday’s opponents good at switching the play "with a great deal of pace and individual quality, particularly on the attack." A compact display, with committed defending will be a prerequisite to "get the momentum in a tight game on our side".
As to exactly who Tayfun Korkut will have in his squad for the upcoming task in Sachsen is something which the coach did not want to elaborate on this Monday. Whilst Daniel Didavi (Achilles tendon problems) and Marc Oliver Kempf (muscle-sinew tear) are unlikely to feature, Santiago Ascacibar (having recovered from a bruised knee) and Borna Sosa (returning from a back blockage) will be available for selection once again. "Borna and Santi went through full team training as normal today. Things look very good for both of them. Daniel undertook his first session with the team today."