“Jerry” gives Fürth a boost of hope: “Nothing lost yet”

Fürth – Match winner Jeremy Dudziak laconically formulated the hope of the former Bundesliga embarrassment SpVgg Greuther Fürth for the rest of this season. If the Franks continued like they did last, then nothing would be impossible with a view to relegation place 16, right? “That’s how it looks, yes,” Dudziak replied.

That could actually say everything. A little more can be said about the Fürth case, which was hopeless just a few weeks ago. Confidence is growing again at the bottom of the table after the 2-1 (1-0) win against FSV Mainz 05 on Saturday. Thanks to their second win of the season, the Fürth have reduced the gap to 16th place to nine points. So you’re still fully involved in the relegation battle, right? “Definitely, nothing is lost yet,” said Dudziak.

“It feels good right now”

Coach Stefan Leitl’s team has scored nine points from the past six games. It is unlikely that the promoted team will maintain this point average until the end of the season. However, the people of Fürth have now proven that they can compete at the highest national level. That’s worth a lot.

Last but not least, after the 20th matchday, the Fürth have already equalized the record of laughing stock Tasmania Berlin from the 1965/66 season with a total of only two wins and four draws.

“It feels good at the moment and is an incentive for us to continue working there and to have this sense of achievement continuously,” said Leitl, who cites the improved physique of his team and the stable personnel situation as decisive factors for acclimatization in the Bundesliga.

Dudziak: “It was a great feeling”

Dudziak himself hasn’t had it that easy since moving from Hamburger SV last summer. “I think that ‘Jerry’ is on the right track,” said Leitl. “He didn’t have an easy time in Hamburg, that’s also a small package that he brought here. There were also minor injuries and of course Corona, here too we had to improvise again and again, to compensate. »

However, Leitl had no doubts about the performance of the native of Hamburg, who should primarily stimulate the offensive. “We were already aware that he would make us better when he was in good shape. That’s why this performance was to be expected for me, »said the Fürth coach. Dudziak gave his team the lead against Mainz in the 12th minute. After the break he forced an own goal through Stefan Bell (66′). Karim Onisiwo’s goal (90+3) didn’t matter in the end.

“It was a great feeling, it was a liberating feeling,” said Dudziak after what he said was his best Bundesliga game. But why are things going so well for him and the people of Fürth at the moment? “We step on the gas even more, we work even more on ourselves and play more freely,” said Dudziak, who had been slowed down by a corona infection this season.

Where else can this lead? “The boys have a dream that they are welcome to live, but above all, underpin it with hard and disciplined work,” said Leitl. “Then we’ll see where the journey goes.” You definitely know more right after the international break with the games against VfL Wolfsburg and Hertha BSC.

© dpa-infocom, dpa:220123-99-817215/2