No endgame, but pointing the way

Created: 03/05/2022, 10:00 am

By: Nico Bauer

He only has one place on the bench for the time being: Summer newcomer Andre Gasteiger (right) hasn't really arrived in Hallbergmoos despite 20 appearances and two goals.

And the competition is not getting any less.

© Christian Riedel

In its 23 Bayernliga games so far, VfB Hallbergmoos has learned the lesson that the table is always just a snapshot.

However, the guest appearance at SV Pullach this Sunday at 1 p.m. is extremely trend-setting, because VfB can either climb up within the relegation zone or slide down to a direct relegation rank.

Hallbergmoos - "No, that's not a final for us," emphasizes VfB coach Matthias Strohmaier.

“After that we have twelve other games.

But of course Pullach is very important.” The third from bottom Hallbergmoos has 22 points and thus two points more in one game less than the Pullachers, who would give up their direct relegation zone to the newly promoted team with a home win.

"I'm not concerned with that," says Strohmaier, who is optimistic about the league duel in the south of Munich after four points from two games after the winter break and only one goal in five games in the second half of the season.

Incidentally, VfB will meet Peter Beierkuhnlein there, who brought Hallbergmooser back on track as an interim coach before the winter break, but was not retained as a coach.

For his successor Strohmaier, this is at best a side note.

The fact that Beierkuhnlein is probably on the pitch is something special for some of his kickers, "because you meet a friend again there".

The 34-year-old is assistant player-coach under head coach Orhan Akkurt, who was once a feared goalscorer in the Bayern and regional leagues.

Appropriately, the Pullachers also have a rather dangerous offensive department.

At VfB, the previous starting line-up played quite well, but there are a few returnees.

With a view to the six positions, Philipp Beetz is back on board and dueling with David Küttner for a place.

Meanwhile, coach Strohmaier reports healthy after his Achilles tendon tear and says "that the foot is okay again and can also withstand pressing hits".

He could start.

Other than that, no changes are expected.

That means that Andre Gasteiger has to stay on the bench.

However, the coach makes it clear that he is far from writing off the new summer signing (20 appearances, two goals) who has not yet really arrived in Hallbergmoos: "Andre is a brilliant footballer." However, the competition on the offensive will soon be even greater, since Fabian Diranko fully trained again.

Pullach comes too early for him, but then VfB's top scorer with six goals applies for a place in the squad.

(nb)

TIP: 3:2 FOR HALLBERGMOOS

VfB squad

Kozel, Petschner, Strohmaier (Hammerl), Giglberger, Mömkes, Kostorz, Beetz (Küttner), Krause, Schmit, Werner, Aygün