SVWW narrow defeat to Champions in season finale
Pros |
The marathon that SV Wehen Wiesbaden have been running for the past few months is now entering its home straight. There are two rounds of matches remaining. And there is still a chance that the Red & Blacks can beat the drop if they can win their last away game of the season against SV Darmstadt 98 on Sunday 21 June (kick-off 15:30 CET). As per usual, we've summarised the most important statements made by head coach Rüdiger Rehm at the virtual press conference for you below.
Personnel matters: Sebastian Mrowca has been given the all-clear. The SVWW captain slid into the advertising hoardings against Nuremberg and bruised his knee in the process. "He'll be able to play if the bruise heals up as expected by Sunday," explained Rehm on Friday lunchtime. While Daniel-Kofi Kyereh will be unavailable on Sunday due to suspension, Paterson Chato will return to the team after serving a ban."
Scenario: "We were dealt a very big setback but it is not one that will derail us," said Rüdiger Rehm as he reflected upon the heavy defeat suffered at the hands of 1. FC Nuremberg on Tuesday evening. "We were competing at the beginning; we were completely in it. Unfortunately we couldn't disrupt the individual quality of the opponent; we might've managed to do so if we'd equalised. As it was, the opponent hit us hard." The task now facing the coach and his team is to ensure that the setback is "banished from their minds and put completely behind us" as quickly as possible. Games like that can happen from time to time, "but it obviously cannot be allowed to happen in this phase," acknowledged Rehm. "We can't undo it; we can only concentrate on what lies ahead."
Outlook: As Karlsruher SC lost their match against SSV Jahn Regensburg on Wednesday evening, the Red & Blacks are still in with a chance of catching up with the men from Baden. There are currently only two points separating the sides. "KSC have given us another chance. Now what we need to do is to make up the points and take this opportunity," said Rehm, before adding: "We have the belief; we have the conviction; we have the team spirit." For SVWW, Sunday brings with it a new game and a new opportunity. "We will try to surprise everyone and to hit back once again."
Darmstadt 98: SVWW had the opportunity to watch their next opponents in action against Arminia Bielefeld on Thursday evening. Prior to that match last night, SV Darmstadt 98 were still in contention for a promotion berth thanks to their excellent form since the winter break. But their defeat against Bielefeld, who have already secured promotion themselves, ended those ambitions. "Nevertheless, nothing is handed to you in this league. That's why we'll have to invest an unbelievable amount – even more than we have recently – if we're to triumph in this match.
Man of the Match: As always, you have the opportunity to vote for your Man of the Match. Simply cast your vote in the Match Centre on the SVWW website anytime between kick-off and midnight on the day of the game and win a shirt signed by the Man of the Match!