The Stuttgarter Kickers are prepared for the Oberliga start next Saturday in Backnang. Also in the dress rehearsal against FC Ingolstadt 04 II, the Blues showed a stable performance and could have won more than 2-0.
In seven preparatory games, Oberliga leaders Stuttgarter Kickers have kept six clean sheets. Coach Mustafa Ünal’s team also kept a clean sheet in the dress rehearsal against FC Ingolstadt 04 II, third in the Bavarian league. The goals for the 2-0 (0-0) victory were scored by Marian Riedinger (53′) with a header and Halim Eroglu (62′) with a nice direct acceptance from 17 meters – each after a corner by David Kammerbauer. “It was a successful dress rehearsal, even if there is still room for improvement,” said sporting director Marc Stein. “All in all, it was a sovereign victory.”
The Blues could have extended their lead in front of 350 spectators in the Gazi Stadium after the 2-0. But Flamur Berisha, Cedric Guarino, Kevin Dicklhuber (shot at the crossbar) and twice Markus Obernosterer missed good chances. Already in the third minute, Konrad Riehle had failed free-standing at the goalkeeper. “Before the break we had phases in which we weren’t as present as we would have liked,” Stein complained.
Coach Ünal didn’t take any risks in the last friendly. In addition to the injured Oguzhan Kececi, Torben Hohloch and Denis Zagaria, the injured David Braig and Luigi Campagna and the ill Niklas Kolbe were not used as a precaution. The continuation in the Oberliga will take place next Saturday (2 p.m.) at TSG Backnang. The team of new coach Mario Klotz won their dress rehearsal against SF Schwäbisch Hall, second in the Verbandsliga, on Saturday 3-0.
Castellucci – Riedinger (63. Moos), Polauke (70. Kohler), Leon Maier, Kammerbauer (63. Guarino) – Kiefer (70. Colic) – Dicklhuber, Blank, Berisha – Riehle (55. Eroglu), Loris Maier (70. Obernosterer).
Here’s how to proceed
major league
TSG Backnang – Kickers (March 4, 2 p.m.), Kickers – 1. CfR Pforzheim (March 11, 2 p.m.), SV Oberachern – Kickers (March 18, 3 p.m.), Kickers – FV Ravensburg (March 25, 2 p.m.), ATSV Mutschelbach – Kickers (April 1, 3:30 p.m.), Kickers – FSV Hollenbach (April 6, 7 p.m.), Sport-Union Neckarsulm – Kickers (April 15, 2 p.m.), Kickers – Offenburger FV ( April 22, 2 p.m.), 1. FC Rielasingen-Arlen – Kickers (April 26, 6.30 p.m.), Kickers – 1. Göppinger SV (April 29, 2 p.m.), SSV Reutlingen – Kickers (May 6, 3.30 p.m p.m.), Kickers – SG Sonnenhof Großaspach (May 13, 2 p.m.), Kickers – FC 08 Villingen (May 20, 3:30 p.m.), Freiburger FC – Kickers (May 27, 3:30 p.m.).
WFV Cup
Quarter-finals: Sport-Union Neckarsulm – Kickers (March 29, 7 p.m.), Türkspor Neu-Ulm – SSV Ehingen-Süd (March 29, 4:45 p.m.), FV Rot-Weiß Weiler – FC Normannia Gmünd (April 12, March 17 p.m.), VfR Aalen – TSG Balingen (April 19, 7 p.m.), semi-finals: winner Türkspor Neu-Ulm/SSV Ehingen-Süd – winner SUN/Kickers and winner Normannia Gmünd/RW Weiler – winner VfR Aalen/TSG Balingen (2 ./3 May). Final: June 3 at Gazi Stadium. (juf)