Fortuna Düsseldorf Looks to Bounce Back Against Bottom Club

Fortuna Düsseldorf, the current leaders of the 2. Bundesliga, are determined to get back on track after a challenging couple of weeks.

Following an unexpected 3-0 loss to Hamburg SV, ending their 21-match unbeaten streak, and a narrow 1-0 defeat in a friendly against Dutch side Heracles Almelo, Fortuna now faces last-placed Jahn Regensburg in their next league fixture.

Coach Daniel Thioune, who has kept a positive outlook, leads his team on a 560-kilometre journey to Regensburg. While this may seem like an easy match on paper, Thioune cautioned against underestimating their opponents, emphasising the unpredictable nature of the 2. Bundesliga. “On good days, you can win against any team in the second division, but on bad days, you can also lose,” Thioune remarked, aware of the potential for an upset.

Despite recent setbacks, Fortuna remains confident that they can return to winning ways. Thioune added, “We are capable of winning there!” as his side aims to maintain their lead at the top of the table.

Press Conference Drama Amid Water Damage

Fortuna’s preparations for the match against Regensburg were somewhat disrupted by an unusual event: water damage. The club had planned to hold its pre-match press conference in the usual media room on Thursday afternoon, but this had to be changed last-minute due to water-related issues. Press spokesman Tino Ploster announced the change on Wednesday night, stating, “The press conference will take place in the old press conference room next to the mixed zone.”

Zwei Tage vor dem Auswärtsspiel 🟰 Zeit für die Pressekonferenz mit Daniel #Thioune 🤗
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However, the plans shifted once again, and the media event was moved to the new media room, dubbed “The Cave,” built for the upcoming European Championships. While the move to the new, modern room met international standards, it came with a significant cost for Fortuna, as the club had to pay additional rent to D.Live, the stadium marketing company. The water damage may have caused some logistical headaches, but coach Thioune was unfazed and maintained a positive outlook ahead of the weekend’s fixture.

Thioune’s Optimism Ahead of Regensburg Clash

Despite the disruptions, Daniel Thioune remains focused on the task at hand. He expressed his desire to move on from the defeats and get back to winning ways. “The break did us good, we took a deep breath. We are looking forward to the trip – even if it is a little further away,” he said.

Regensburg, currently sitting at the bottom of the 2. Bundesliga, presents an opportunity for Fortuna to secure a comfortable victory. However, Thioune has warned his players against complacency. “It is always nice to write that the league leaders have embarrassed themselves against the bottom team. It would be a shame if that were no longer the case,” he joked, reminding everyone that no match in the second division is ever easy.

Fortuna will also be without two suspended players for the match, but the squad remains hopeful, with four players battling for a spot in the starting eleven. The away fixture is seen as a crucial opportunity to maintain momentum at the top of the table, especially as other promotion hopefuls look to close the gap.

Our View

Fortuna Düsseldorf’s recent slip-ups have put their title challenge in sharper focus, but the team’s resilience and leadership under Daniel Thioune suggest they can weather this rough patch. The water damage incident may have been a distraction, but the team’s professionalism and determination to succeed remain evident.

As Fortuna prepares to face Regensburg, Thioune’s cautious optimism strikes the right balance. His reminder that no team in the 2. Bundesliga can be underestimated is key, and Fortuna’s ability to bounce back will be crucial in maintaining their lead at the top. A win against Regensburg would not only restore confidence but also serve as a statement that Fortuna is still the team to beat this season.