Football Season Guide

Fortuna Düsseldorf were promoted as champions of division two last season and return to the top division following a five year break. Despite being the best side in the second division last term, Friedholm Funkel and his team will be under no illusions as the challenge which awaits them in staying up. In the last three seasons no newly promoted side has been immediately relegated back to the division. But Düsseldorf head into the season with a squad which has quite limited experience at this level and it will likely not be as plain sailing as others have found it. Of the first team squad, very few have established themselves at top division squads. In fact, the number of players who have something to prove at this level is far higher from players who failed to make it at Bundesliga clubs. The likes of Marvin Ducksch, who finished as top scorer in the second division last season, Kevin Stöger and Michael Rensing have all been judged not good enough previously but form important parts of this Düsseldorf team. However, one aspect Düsseldorf excelled at last season was their mentality and teamwork as they went from a mid-table side to champions without changing the squad all that much. This term very few important members of the squad have left, with the exception of full backs Lukas Schmitz and Julian Schauerte and a couple of expired loan deals. The core of the squad has therefore changed little from last season which will cut down on the time it takes to integrate the newer players. Funkel’s side were especially strong at home last season only losing three of their 17 home matches and could well be important this season too. Funkel will want to try and make sure that his side are consistent in front of their own fans as a clear strength such that as that will be vital to help them survive.