Derby Showdown in Franconia

Sun 25th Sep, 2011

Grünwalder Strasse, Munich - Another Bavarian derby day on Sunday approaches as TSV 1860 München prepare to face the leaders in the Bundesliga second division SpVgg Greuther Fürth at Trolli Arena. 

At fortress Allianz Arena 'Die Lowen' are unstoppable having scored 13 goals in 4 matches, conceding just two.  That record makes them the best home team in the lower division so far this season with maximum points taken.  But it's a different story away from home.

The figures on the road read one win and 3 defeats.  The solitary away win came at Cottbus and that was a five goal demolition job.  There are signs of an encouraging nature neatly weaved into the story.  This season the Lions have always scored at least one goal on their travels but asking for that to continue on Sunday will be a big ask given the strength of their table topping opponents.

Fürth have proved to have weaknesses though.  Their last fixture was a surprise goalless draw to joint-bottom club Alemannia Aachen, a contest most would have expected them to easily win.

1860 boss Rainer Maurer is optimistic about his team's chances.  "We want at least one point against a really hard opponent like Greuther Fürth.  I think we proved we can play good football away because in St. Pauli we had a number of good chances to score more goals.  We also won 5-0 in Cottbus.  I expect a good match." 

Being a derby clash may scramble the form guide a little - both sides are expected to put in the extra effort to win this one.

As away games go, this one won't feel as tiresome as the journey to Dusseldorf or Cottbus was or the trip to Rostock will be.  Maurer also hopes for good support following the team up the Autobahn A9.  "I hope there will be good numbers of support [on Sunday].  If we can get a victory then motivation will be really high."

Marco Menolfi and Simone Sperduto contributed to this article.


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