Our next opponents: Bold Fortuna giant killers

Position

Fortuna Düsseldorf can definitely be more relaxed going into this game. While Bayer 04 played Mainz 05 on Sunday after an exhausting return trip from Mainz 05, the newcomers were away to VfB Stuttgart in their Bundesliga game on Friday night – and deserved to win their second game in succession. However, an impressive performance from VfB keeper Ron-Robert Zieler prevented a first away victory for Fortuna this season. Düsseldorf have already stood up to top teams in the Bundesliga: Champions League participants Hoffenheim were beaten to-one and the team under coach Friedhelm Funkel (pictured above) produced an impressive performance to draw 1-1 away to RB Leipzig. The reward so far for bold performances by the newly promoted club: five points and ninth place despite a challenging start to the campaign. Fortuna have also progressed in the DFB Cup: A 5-0 win at Rot-Weiß Koblenz  has taken the team through to the second round where they face the surprise package from Ulm.

Personnel

The Fortuna squad, which impressively gained promotion to the top-flight as second division champions last season, has more or less remained intact. The departure of loan players Florian Neuhaus and Genki Haraguchi was disappointing but well-prepared for. Düsseldorf brought in reserve players from Bundesliga teams such as Matthias Zimmermann from VfB Stuttgart and Kenan Karaman from Hannover 96 and also strengthened with players who impressed in the second tier last term, above all last season’s top scorer Marvin Ducksch. The club management also have high hopes of winger Dodi Lukebakio, who went out on loan to Premier League Watford for a season. At the edge of just 20, he showed maturity in taking responsibility in the victory over Hoffenheim when he scored the winner from the penalty spot. Up to now, Lukebakio has started on the bench because Friedhelm Funkel has kept faith with most of the team that won promotion. It is possible the 64-year-old manager will rotate his side and give players like Lukebakio their chance from the start. Funkel has proved to be flexible up to now, playing three or four at the back depending on the opponents. It will be interesting to see the approach taken by the Fortuna coach against the Werkself in his 462^nd Bundesliga game in the dug out.

Problems

Up to now, Fortuna have made life difficult for opposing teams through their ball-winning ability and often use that possession to launch dangerous counter-attacks. One shortcoming: The Düsseldorf attack often fails to round off moves and the two strikers Marvin Ducksch and Rouven Hennings often fail to finish. The result: All four goals scored in the league to date have been netted by midfielders. Both Ducksch and Hennings demonstrated their evident ability in front of goal in the second division but have only scored twice in 39 Bundesliga games. This season, the goalkeeper Michael Rensing, who made four appearances for Bayer 04 in 2012/13, has not always looked secure.

Potential

After the brief spell in the Bundesliga in 2012/13, Fortuna Düsseldorf are now looking to stay in the top-flight for longer. After spending most of the time since 2000 in the Regional League and Oberliga, the club succeeded in building a solid financial base in the second division to ensure a position as one of the top 25 clubs in Germany over the long term. Coach Friedhelm Funkel provides an achor with his calmness and experience bringing positive results throughout the club. Nevertheless: Huge leaps and bounds are not to be expected from Fortuna as talented young players can only be attracted to Düsseldorf on loan.

Prediction

The start of the season gives high hopes of staying up but also memories of the club’s last Bundesliga campaign: In 2012, Düsseldorf were unbeaten in the first six league games and did not concede in the first five fixtures. After a run of defeats at the end of that season, Fortuna were on their way back to the second division. The hope of avoiding that fate this time round is boosted by the quality of the squad and the approach to games under Funkel. If Düsseldorf show that in games against direct rivals then the chances are good that Fortuna will finish above three other teams this term.