Offenbach coach Angelo Barletta wanted it that way. A broad squad with a lot of competition in the individual parts of the team. With the exception of the long-term injuries Abu Bakarr Kargbo (rehab after knee surgery) and Maurice Pluntke (advanced training after knee surgery) as well as Jakob Lemmer (groin problems), all of the 28 members of the management team are available to him. Before the restart in the Südwest regional soccer league on Friday, December 11th (7pm) at FC Astoria Walldorf, the battle for a place in the 18-man matchday squad is raging. Cases of hardship are programmed, even if Barletta appeases 31 games still to be played: “We need everyone.” An overview of the individual parts of the team:
TOR
Stephan Flauder (34) directs the best defense in the league as captain (only six goals against in eleven games) and is set. In seven league games, Viktoria 1899 Berlin’s entry was zero. The sovereignty of Flauder, who also stands out as a loud motivator, is the bad luck of Dominik Draband (24). The regular goalkeeper from last season was no longer in the squad after seven games as a substitute goalkeeper. That was because goalkeeper number three, Felix Ferahyan (22), fulfills the U23 rule, according to which there must be at least four players in the matchday squad who are under 23 years of age and who are eligible to play for a DFB selection.
Draband’s fate also preoccupies Barletta. “He’s really good, he’s often the last to leave the training ground,” praises the Kickers trainer, who doesn’t want to rule out that Draband is looking for a change in the air in winter. “But I’ll stick with it: It’s still a good project for him that he can be a part of,” Barletta hopes that the goalkeeper will stay, who came to the OFC in 2019 via SV Elversberg after his training at 1899 Hoffenheim.
DEFENSE
The defensive row of the first eleven games should continue to enjoy the coach’s trust in the future. Sebastian Zieliecki (25) and summer signing Malte Karbstein (22) formed a strong central defender tandem that was used in all eleven games. Lucas Albrecht (29) is backup number one, and it will certainly stay that way. On the right back Marco Fritscher (25) should be ahead of Francesco Calabrese (24) after a cured ligament tear. Ronny Marcos (27) is a bank on the left, missing only three times because of a red ban. Calabrese is also the first candidate for this position. But Luka Garic (20), who has overcome his patellar tendon problems, could also defend on the left or act outside a chain of three. Vincent Moreno Giesel (18) is only one candidate for the bank to replenish the U23 contingent, as is central defender Leonidas Tiliudis (20).
MIDFIELD
With the return of Maik Vetter (29), who has not yet been used due to a tendon split in his thigh, Barletta has an additional option: Vetter has tough duels, headball strength, unrestrained commitment (Barletta: “Such a great guy. He rubs for the team on ”), but also dynamism and speed. Luigi Campagna (30), also fit again in training after knee problems, is doing the latter a little. In addition, the Italian has incurred the wrath of the coach after his yellow-red suspension in the only defeat of the season in Ulm (0-1). Barletta had threatened severe sanctions for Marcos (red) and Davud Tuma (yellow-red) after being sent off. Campagna felt it and was not included in the squad twice after being suspended. Little is likely to change in its price decline. “He showed the right reaction in training,” said Barletta after all. Most recently, however, alongside Tunay Deniz (26), who was always seeded, the greatly improved Tim Dierßen (24) made it into the starting line-up. In addition to Vetter, Garic (20) also registers claims. “He’s making good progress,” said Barletta, praising the youngster who is safe on the ball.
In attacking midfield there is hardly a way past Serkan Firat (26) and Marcell Sobotta (23, with three goals and six assists, the team’s best scorer). Should one of the two fail, Davud Tuma (24) is the first candidate to succeed. Denis Huseinbasic (19), who came on four times this season, should have a regular place on the bench as a U23 player, Jakob Lemmer (20) because of persistent groin problems, much to Barletta’s regret, not at least in Walldorf.
ATTACK
Mathias Fetsch (32) as the most accurate attacker (eight goals in ten games) has a bonus after a quarter of the season. Especially since he is highly regarded as a team player and motivator. Florent Bojaj (24), who often knew how to please Fetsch as a strong player, must not be too sure of his place. Finally, ex-professional Elia Soriano (31) also pushes into the team. Moritz Reinhard (25) has the worst cards in the two out of four lottery for the starting eleven. After starting the season at the 0-0 draw against Bahlinger SC, the upstart of the second half of the 2019/20 season was only considered twice in the squad. However, the “Rhön bomber” ruled out a winter change. Barletta also knows what he has in the beefy center forward. “He is very motivated in every training session, willing to learn, positive. I wouldn’t send him away. “
By Jörg Moll
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