The 2. Bundesliga relegation playoffs can be a blessing in disguise for the team from the second tier, over two legs Nürnberg won the right to preserve their status. However, since the 2008/09 season when the relegation playoffs were reintroduced, its been the 3. Liga side that has been victorious on eight of the 11 encounters. Nürnberg will hope to curve this when they play Ingolstadt; the later won its way into the playoffs after beating 1860 München on the final day of the season. Nürnberg only a season ago were in the Bundesliga, but an unbelievable collapse has seen Der Club fighting for its 2. Bundesliga lives.
This tactical analysis will delve into the tactics used by both sides in this first leg affair, and how Nürnberg was able to capture the advantage heading into Saturdays deciding encounter.
Lineups
Before the playoffs, Nürnberg announced that Jens Keller had been relieved of his duties as head coach. His replacements come in the form of co-trainers Michael Wiesinger and Marek Mintal. Mintal led the team when Nürnberg axed Damir Canadi, the result in that game was a 5-1 home defeat to Arminia Bielefeld. Wiesinger will shoulder most of the responsibility this time around; he made five changes to the side which drew at Holstein Kiel on the final matchday. Arsenal defender Konstantinos Mavropanos was given a reprieve in place of Lukas Mühl, the experienced Enrico Valentini and Mikael Ishak also found a place in the side with Michael Frey and Oliver Sorg dropping to the bench. Nikola Dovedan and Johannes Geis would make way for Adam Zrelák and aptly named Fabian Nürnberger.
Ironically, Ingolstadt would feature in the relegation playoffs in consecutive seasons but this on this occasion they are fighting for promotion. The man in charge of the rival last season was Tomas Oral who replaced Jens Keller, fast forward to the current campaign and Oral was entrusted in the renaissance once more after taking charged from the sacked Jeff Saibene. Oral would make a couple changes from the side that won 2-0 on Sunday, the return of Bjorn Paulsen to defence was an important one, he replaced Michael Heinloth. The big story would be the absence of Stefan Kutschke, although his replacement was the sides, top scorer, in Dennis Eckert Ayensa.
