Match Preview vs Fortuna Düsseldorf

Opponents Focus: 

Despite currently sitting in mid table, it hasn’t been the season to remember in Düsseldorf. That being said the change in fortunes under New Head Coach and former HSV Head Coach Daniel Thioune has underlined a different animal for this upcoming fixture. 

Since the former Volksparkstadion employee took charge of Fortuna they are unbeaten in five league fixtures. This including wins over Schalke, Aue and Ingolstadt. 

Despite Corona cases throughout the squad and coaching staff Fortuna had to play their match against Paderborn and came away with the impressive point. The squad that including many players from their Regionalliga Second squad held their own and despite the disadvantage, it was no hinderance to the NRW side.
 

The Match Facts : 

Solid Defence

HSV will enter the Merkur Spiel-Arena on Saturday with the best defence in the 2nd Bundesliga to date (26 goals conceded), but Fortuna (33 goals conceded) are also on the podium in the defensive rankings (3rd). With the change of coach from Christian Preußer to former HSV head coach Daniel Thioune, the Rhinelanders' defence stabilised once again: In the five league games since the 47-year-old took up his post, F95 keeper Florian Kastenmeier (saved 85 per cent of shots on goal during this period - top in the league) has only had to make three saves. Hard to overcome!

Contrasting counter-attacking statistics

When the Red Shorts win the ball this season, they often go all out. With quick vertical passes, they look for depth, and the outer lanes are also played dynamically. The targeted counterattacks have already led to eight goals, only FC St. Pauli (nine) is marginally better. The situation is different for Fortuna: After 26 league games, only two counter-attack goals have been scored, no other second-division team has a lower figure. Something is possible in the transition game!

Defend the Box

Fortuna Düsseldorf have hit 403 crosses so far this season - no second division team can boast a higher figure. But HSV also frequently tries to get in the right place with crosses: 353 crosses are noted for the Rothosen (3rd place league-wide), which were also used somewhat more effectively: Walter's men had 78 shots on goal from crosses, while only 74 attempts were recorded for Fortuna. But when it comes to the most important value, the opponents are again on a par: both teams scored exactly six goals from crosses (7th place in a league comparison). So, the occupation of the box will play a very important role on Saturday!