Who is the best third division team in Munich?
This question will be answered (provisionally) on the field on Saturday.
Before that, we spoke to Türkgücü veteran Aaron Berzel, 28, about his 1860 past, the unfamiliar red jersey and the lion enclave with the newcomer from the east of Munich.
By 1860 he was the darling of the west curve.
As a result of the Corona crisis, his contract was not extended - Türkgücü gratefully took hold of it.
He has a deep friendship with Mölders and Löwen assistant trainer Beer.
Fan favorite, promotion hero, ex-lion.
After three eventful years at TSV 1860, Aaron Berzel's contract expired in the summer - newcomer Türkgücü gratefully grabbed it and is happy about a strong defensive chief who has made a significant contribution to the good start of the third division newcomer.
Before the emotional reunion with his ex-club (Saturday, 2 p.m.), we spoke to the 28-year-old resident of Munich.
Mr. Berzel, with two fewer games, Türkgücü is two points behind TSV 1860. Will you overtake the table on Saturday?
If we win, of course (laughs).
Joking aside, of course we want to score three points on Saturday.
Even if it's against friends.
Against a club that has grown dear to you.
But you don't let your children win every time you play a board game.
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White and blue happiness: Aaron Berzel after scoring a goal in the 1860 jersey.
© Imago / Stefan Matzke
Türkgücü has high goals.
Can your new club replace the Löwen as number two in the city in the medium term?
The success has proven Türkgücü right in recent years.
The 3rd division is a completely different business, we have to keep proving ourselves here week after week.
1860 is a huge traditional club and will always be.
We try to get 40 points + x as quickly as possible to see what else is possible.
It is difficult to judge whether Türkgücü the Lions can overtake the rank of number two in the city, as the club's history also plays a role.
In purely sporting terms, however, Türkgücü has absolutely the potential to do so.
Of course, the lion gene always remains.
Aaron Berzel
The Munich color theory is well known.
How long did it take an avowed blue man like you to get used to red work clothes?
I had no other choice (laughs).
It would probably have been difficult to convince the club management that we will only train in blue things in the future.
At first it was strange to wear red, but that was forgotten after the first training session.
What is missing from Türkgücü compared to 1860?
The club grew incredibly quickly, the infrastructure couldn't keep up that fast.
You can see that in our changing rooms and the training facility, for example.
In the background, the club management gives full throttle every day to catch up.
Those in charge also listen to the advice of the experienced players, which makes me particularly happy.
There isn't as much press hype here as there is at Sixty, not everyone shoots at you every day.
I can work more quietly here, we are a tight-knit bunch and we all pull together.
In the background, the club management gives full throttle every day to catch up.
Aaron Berzel
Türkgücü has recently caused a stir, among other things, with the bitter scramble for the DFB Cup place.
Almost seems like you have a penchant for hype clubs.
So far, I've always made the decision to join a club with full conviction.
Türkgücü went to great lengths to help me.
Those responsible gave me a clear perspective.
There was also the huge argument that I don't have to move with my wife.
Türkgücü was certainly in the headlines more often, but I felt really comfortable here from the start.
On Saturday it counts on the pitch.
How much real derby potential does the new pairing 1860 vs.
Türkgücü?
Bayern against sixty is of course a derby that has been around for generations and will always have a special place.
The S-Bahn derby against Haching is also in the shadows.
The rivalry between 1860 and Türkgücü will certainly get even bigger in the next few years, especially when both clubs play in higher realms again.
New stories are being written, a new tradition is emerging.
A story on Saturday will be the meeting with her boyfriend Sascha Mölders.
I got along well with Sascha Mölders right from the start.
We think similarly on the pitch, we live football.
But I still have a good connection with most of the guys, for example with Molli (Quirin Moll / Red.) Or assistant trainer Oliver Beer.
Deep friendships were formed around 1860.
Friendships that rest for 90 minutes on Saturday.
How do you spoil the fun of a Mölders?
Sascha is still an exceptional player.
How he fixes the balls, sometimes makes a goal out of nowhere.
A Mölders can always hit, there is no panacea (laughs).
Of course I would be happy if I can prevent him from dancing me out on Saturday.
I'll make it as uncomfortable for him as possible.
What does he have to pay you if he goes goalless?
And vice versa?
There are currently no bets.
But after the game we will surely sit down and have a beer.
That's the nice thing about football: on the pitch we will give full throttle for 90 minutes and plow ourselves, after the final whistle we can hug each other.
In the west curve of the lions you were considered a big fan favorite.
Would it be harder for you to return to the Grünwalder Stadium if you had to meet your old buddies behind the fence in red jerseys?
On the one hand, it's a shame that there are no fans.
I would have liked another farewell to sixty.
Before I left the club - this time due to the corona - it was not yet clear how things would go on.
You know that from the last few years.
So it wasn't an emotional farewell.
A few lines on Instagram cannot replace a lap of honor in the stadium.
I was received so warmly by the Löwen fans, it was unique.
I would have loved to go to the fence again and thank you personally.
Seen in the familiar faces.
On the other hand, it will certainly be easier for me on Saturday as it will be less emotional without the atmosphere.
With coach Alex Schmidt and goalkeeping coach Michael Hofmann, there are other ex-lions at Türkgücü.
How binding is this shared past?
Of course, the lion gene always remains.
“Once a lion, always a lion” is not just a marketing slogan.
Michi Hofmann is always the first to tell us how sixty played.
I would be lying if I said I don't care about the club now.
I've experienced too much for that in recent years, the time was too intense for that.
Nevertheless, the focus is now completely on Türkgücü and we will give everything on Saturday to keep the three points with us.