Match Preview vs FC Ingolstadt

Opponents Focus: 

Rüdiger Rehm joined the battle for survival at Ingolstadt shortly after our last meeting with the side. A uphill task that would have been a mountain to club but in recent from, Die Schanzer haven’t been too bad at all. 

Only one defeat in their last four league matches gave the Ingolstadt fans a slight hope of making the relegation play off match. A 3-2 victory over fellow strugglers Erzgebirge Aue and the afore mentioned point against KSC the pick of the bunch. 

However, Ingolstadt lie bottom, 10 points adrift from the play position with just three matches remaining. With only pride to play for in the final few games, a tricky task could be ahead of HSV on Saturday. 

The Match Facts : 

There is no lack of willingness to run 

The fact that it won't be an easy course for HSV on Saturday can also be seen in the Ingolstadt team's running data. Head coach Rüdiger Rehm's team has made the second most intensive runs per game this season (717), covering an average of 116.3 kilometres. HSV even has an average of one kilometre more on the clock, but is just behind the Schanzers in terms of intensive runs (693). By the way: 1. FC Heidenheim is ahead in both statistics.

Second edition: Walter vs. Rehm 

Tim Walter has yet to suffer a defeat against FC Ingolstadt 04 in the course of his coaching career (one win, two draws), but in the only duel with FCI head coach Rüdiger Rehm, the 46-year-old lost out: In October 2019, Rehm won 2-1 at Walter's VfB Stuttgart as coach of SV Wehen Wiesbaden and thus caused a big surprise. However, the ex-professional's HSV record looks rather meagre. In three competitive matches, he and his team have only managed one draw, and two defeats. A good omen! 

Special weeks for Sonny Kittel

Special and emotional weeks for Sonny Kittel: Last Saturday, the HSV ten-man played his 100th competitive match for the Rothosen professionals (29 goals, 32 assists) in Regensburg (4:2), and in Ingolstadt, a return to his old stomping ground is now on the agenda. Between 2016 and 2019, the now 29-year-old was on the pitch in 90 competitive games for the Schanzers and not only contributed 45 scorer points (22 goals, 23 assists), but also regained confidence in his body after some setbacks due to injury. "In Ingolstadt, I found my old strength again," Sonny explained in the HSVtv matchday check before the first leg - but his affection for his former club will have to be put to rest again on Saturday.