Our next opponents: Can a defensive bulwark keep them up?

Position

A month ago, nobody would have backed FC Nürnberg. FCN had not won a game  in 20 matches and there was nothing to provide hope of staying up. "Everyone's written us off," admitted the goalkeeper Christian Mathenia in the middle of March but he added: "The team continues to believe in itself." And with some justification. The 3-0 victory over FC Augsburg and the associated end of the winless run has given the Franconians renewed energy. That was followed by two draws against direct rivals from Stuttgart and Schalke and in both matches FCN were ahead and could have earned a win. The fact there was only one point from each of the games was disappointing given the course of the matches and the fact time is running out for Nürnberg. With the Werkself beating VfB Stuttgart last weekend, Nürnberg are now just three points behind the play-off spot of sixteenth– and recent performances  provide encouragement that the ninth Bundesliga relegation in the club's history could still be avoided.

Personnel

Seven goals conceded against Dortmund, six against Leipzig, five against Schalke: In the first half of the season FC Nürnberg looked like a pushover. Caretaker coach Boris Schommers (pictured above), took over the helm from Michael Köllner in February and succeeded in laying the foundations for a positive approach to the relegation battle: He stabilised the defence. In eight games under Schommers, Nürnberg have only conceded eight goals and in the whole of the second half of the season so far the total is 16, the fifth best return in the league. An important reason for that: central defender Ewerton, who missed almost the whole of the first half of the season, has shone at the back in 2019 and it is now extremely difficult to score against FC Nürnberg – and that despite Schommers having worries about the full-back positions. The long-term absence of Enrico Valentini and Kevin Goden only leaves Tim Leibold and Robert Bauer as recognised full-backs in the squad. Leibold was at the centre of an unusual incident in the game against Schalke when he had to go off due to an allergic reaction that caused his eyes to be completely swollen up. By the end of the game the left back was able to see clearly again and it appears nothing will stand in his way of playing against the Werkself.

Problems

As solid as the defence is under Schommers, the problems up front remain as large as ever: With only 24 goals scored this term, Nürnberg currently have the poorest attack in the Bundesliga. While the side has improved recently – above all thanks to the return of Matheus Pereira after a long ban – there is still much room for improvement in terms of penetration and converting chances. That cost FCN important points against Stuttgart and Schalke. Central striker Mikael Ishak demonstrated his ability to score in the second division but now does not receive the same level of service up front. His main back-up Adam Zrelak is ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a torn cruciate.

Potential

Regardless of whether they stay up or not: FC Nürnberg are currently going through a period of upheaval. Alongside coach Michael Köllner, who was not only in charge  of the senior squad but also initially the youth section at FCN, sporting director Andreas Bornemann was the second member of management to depart in February. Bornemann's successor was presented at the start of April: Robert Palikuca, previously at league rivals Fortuna Düsseldorf as general manager, is now in charge of the sporting fate of FCN. Whether Schommers continues or a new head coach is to be brought in? Division I or Division 2? It's all in the air at the moment but that could be decisive for the development of the club in the coming years. Exciting  weeks and months await

Prediction

Recent performances and the reduced gap to sixteenth spot are the source of hope – the remaining fixtures less so. After the match at the BayArena, FC Nürnberg play Bayern Munich, Wolfsburg and Borussia Mönchengladbach – anything but easy games in a relegation battle. However: In the 0-0 draw against Borussia Dortmund the team showed they are very capable of posing problems to top teams with their focused defensive work. FCN are away to Freiburg on the last day of the season. If sixteenth position is still within reach at that point then the race to catch up could still end in success.