Löwen want to end the series of defeats in Deggendorf – Salvarani in goal
Bad Tölz – there is a different way to fly high: After six consecutive defeats – some of which were completely avoidable – the Tölz self-confidence has suffered greatly.
"We're in deep," says Lions coach Ryan Foster.
"And have to find a way to get out of there.
Through cohesion, stepping on the gas and making smart decisions.” And all of that best on Friday evening (8 p.m.) with a win – of all places at third-placed Deggendorfer SC.
Margins in the front, concrete in the back
Foster has some ideas and visions on how to do that.
He has made some changes in his squad, with goalkeeper Enrico Salvarani, who has just signed a contract extension (we reported), returning to strong backing and Foster continuing to instill his vision of defensive thinking in the players.
"I see progress there - we've defended the neutral zone well lately - but there are also a number of steps backwards." In the end, his players let the opponent run back into position because they were only concentrating on the disc leader.
Or simply let yourself be played off on counterattacks.
In football, one would speak of inadequate area coverage.
"That must not happen against Deggendorf," Foster clarifies.
“We have to be particularly careful with people like Thomas Greilinger, Lukas Miculka and Peter Stloukal.
Enrico Salvarani back in goal after a 2 month injury break
If the third-placed player in the Oberliga, whose strengths lie above all in preventing goals, manages to break through, Enrico Salvarani stands in the way again for the first time.
The 24-year-old is playing his first league game in more than two months after an operation on the syndesmosis ligament in his foot.
The Tölzer is fit again, the foot is as stable as ever.
However, Foster dampens overly high expectations.
"He makes a good impression in training, but a game situation is something else.
He may not be his old self again and may not play completely flawlessly.”
Work backwards
It is therefore crucial that the whole team works backwards.
"We can do it, we show that, but not constantly." For this reason, Foster Dillon Eichstadt has ordered back from the Tölz parade row to the third defense.
In his opinion, the American was a little too offensively oriented and often risked losing a disc.
"I made it clear to him: He's much more effective if he stays behind," says Foster.
And after a conversation he is convinced: "He will make the best game of the season."
In addition, Timo Sticha has to replace the ailing Anton Engel in the third attack, while Florian Kästele is an additional striker in the fourth block with Dominik Gißibl because he was unable to train during the week.
Increase in efficiency in the end
And in addition to defensive improvements, there must also be an increase in efficiency in the end.
Especially since Timo Pielmeier is the nominally best goalkeeper in the league (92.6 percent catch rate) between the Deggendorf posts.
It is important to keep him busy with many shots, but also to be ready for rebounds.
"We need a lot of traffic in front of the goal because he saves all direct shots," warns Foster.
The main thing in the end is a win – no matter how close.
"A 2-1 is just as good as a 5-2.
It would be important for everyone, for the mind and for self-confidence."