Position
A look at the statistics from last season shows that Arminia could easily have been described as the FC Bayern of the second division. The East Westphalians almost dominated the second division at will. Not seen as promotion candidates at the start of the campaign, the team coached by Uwe Neuhaus developed into a top side over the course of the first half of the season. In the top three from matchday seven and non-stop league leaders from matchday 14. By the winter break at the latest, everyone should have been clear that this team would play a decisive role in the promotion battle.
The last league performance of the season was exemplary of Bielefeld’s desire to win. DSC had already sealed promotion and the league title when FC Heidenheim came to the 'Alm'. The visitors wanted a result to secure the play-off spot. "I can rely on my team 100 per cent. We want to win the game," declared Uwe Neuhaus ahead of the top match. And the 60-year-old proved to be right. The match ended in a convincing 3-0 victory – and the promotion celebrations could carry on, in accordance with the coronavirus hygiene rules.
Personnel
You won't find big names and expensive new signings in the East Westphalians' squad. The majority of the regular starters have already played for Arminia for several years. Goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, at Bielefeld since 2017, played every minute last season. The 27-year-old and his fellow defenders were the best defence in the second division (30 goals conceded, 14 clean sheets). Striker Fabian Klos only played a few minutes less. You could definitely describe the 1.94 m giant as Mr Bielefeld. The 32-year-old has played for DSC for over nine years, is the captain, the voice, role model and guarantor of promotion. He scored 22 goals and provided eleven assists in his 33 league games. That ensured he was the top scorer and provider across the leagues and also winner of the first official top goalscorer trophy in the history of the second division. Klos once said in an interview with Die Welt newspaper: "I'm in love with Arminia Bielefeld." It's no wonder, given those statistics and statements, that 57 per cent of the fans voted him Player of the Season.
Problems
Uwe Neuhaus will coach a Bundesliga team for the first time in his 25-year career as a coach. The former player is not overawed by the prospect of playing big teams like FC Bayern and the Werkself instead of sides like Wiesbaden or Regensburg. "The conviction I can do the top division is within me," declared the 60-year-old just after the promotion. Yet it is clear the East Westphalians will have to rein in their brave and attacking style of play. "We want to maintain the confidence levels we gain from our style of play in the Bundesliga as well. But I know we can go to our limit doing that. We'll have opponents who are amongst the best clubs in the world. So we can't rigidly stick to our system."
That begs the question of how far the DSC squad is ready for the Bundesliga in terms of quality. The third best goalscorer and provider Jonathan Clauss left the club to join RC Lens and the first choice left back Florian Hartherz moved on to Fortuna Düsseldorf. Conversely, the East Westphalians have signed the Japanese right winger Ritsu Doan from PSV Eindhoven on the loan. Striker Sergio Córdova also joined DSC in a loan deal from FC Augsburg. Mike van der Hoorn (Swansea City) has been brought in to strengthen the defence. It remains to be seen whether Arminia will be active in the transfer market again.
PotenTial
Despite promotion, it was not to be expected that there would be any big-name transfers; the financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic have added to that theory. But DSC have a team that can and wants to take the next step in the Bundesliga. Central defender Amos Pieper, 22 years young, has his first full season with Bielefeld behind him. Marcel Hartel (24), signed from Union Berlin before the promotion season, breathes life into the attack as the playmaker. He is capable of playing a crucial role in the top-flight. And if they need more players at the East Westphalia club then they will be able to rely on their own youth section. The U19s and U17s are both in the youth Bundesliga, the top tier in Germany, for the 2020/21 season.
Prediction
Arminia are one of the relegation candidates on paper. But the fact that the Neuhaus team will be able to spring surprises was impressively demonstrated week after week in the second division. And so it's no surprise that the head coach made it clear when talking about the survival mission: "It wouldn’t be a sensation for me. We have a very settled team with great character. To that extent, we have a good chance."
