Nurnberg vs. Wolfsburg

Next up on Saturday was Nurnberg’s match against Wolfsburg. This match set my enthusiasm level for this and the following Oxford match. Unfortunately, it lowered my enthusiasm – even after watching the nice fixture on ESPN.

A couple weeks ago I found that the Bundesliga’s main website streams live audio of the ongoing matches, of course in German. I loaded that as soon as the match started so I could follow that along with the match tracker and keep good tabs on the action. Just like Nurnberg’s last match, just catching a few words here and there that I know in German, I knew Der Club was again not playing well. When the opposing team’s players keep getting mentioned and the only Nurnberg player coming up is the goalie, it’s not a good sign. At the end of the first half, Nurnberg only had four shots. Wolfsburg had seven, one of which was a goal.

Entering the second half down 1-0, Nurnberg at least was able to show some signs of life. Both Wolfsburg and Nurnberg ended up using all three of their allotted subs by the 72^nd minute which would end up effecting the play on the field. Nurnberg’s first sub Eigler (who came on for Mak) ended up equalizing from a nice through ball in the 70^th. After that happened, I really was just hoping Nurnberg would just play safe and hold on for the draw. (I know that it’s sad that I have that low of expectations, but it’s the truth.) Unfortunately, the draw didn’t happen. In the 82^nd, Nurnberg’s second sub Mike Frantz committed a foul in the penalty area bringing down Wolfsburg Ashkan Dejagah. His teammate Mario Mandzukic converted the penalty kick a minute later and Wolfsburg went on to win 2-1.

I know the season is only nine games in, but I think Nurnberg may need to spend some money in the January transfer window to keep from being relegated at the end of the season. Currently they have the third worst scoring team with ten goals, only behind Kaiserslautern and Augsburg both with seven. They definitely need to pick up someone who can score goals. I think that alone would keep them safe and in the middle of the table. The goalkeeper position is solid (even with the second stringer playing right now) but the defensive back line could be filled out. From what I see in US national games, Timmy Chandler is solid. Because I haven’t actually seen any of the other backs play, I don’t have an opinion on any other specific players. However the keeper definitely needs some better coverage in front of him.