Now 1. FC Nürnberg is heading into the pressure weeks in the 2nd league. For coach Miroslav Klose and his team, victories in the coming games are a must. Saturday against Preußen Münster (15th place), and on October 25th against the current bottom team Jahn Regensburg it should be three points each.

In between there is the Franconian derby against Greuther Fürth. It could be tight with a win. The FCN was unable to win the last three games – 1:2 in Fürth on February 25th, 2024, a 1:1 draw on September 15th, 2023 in Nuremberg and another 0:1 away defeat on February 4th, 2023. Losing is forbidden this time!

FCN in the print weeks: fan survey and pledge of loyalty

There is a threat of a season in fear of relegation. After the 7th matchday they were only in 14th place – and the trend recently wasn’t coach Klose’s friend. The game against Münster threatens to end Endgame to become the club coach. There is a risk of dismissal. An inFranken.de survey shows that the club fans are definitely in Low mood hang on and look very closely.

At least the oath of loyalty comes from FCN boss Joti Chatzialexiou. Opposite the Bild newspaper The sports director tries to classify the current critical situation: “I am not taking part in a coaching discussion. There can be no talk of an imminent final for Miroslav Klose. Even if we lose against Preußen Münster, Miro will remain our head coach.”

However, it will be difficult to hold on to the coach if 1. FC Nürnberg goes after the three MUST-Playing stuck even deeper in the table cellar. The fact is: The FCN is in the middle of the Klose crisis that was looming early on! And the 46-year-old knows football: “In the coaching business, it’s normal for the mechanisms to work like this, but for me the only thing that applies is what we discuss internally in the team.”

FCN captain Knoche speaks of the team’s obligation to score points

Even if Chatzialexiou tries to put the pressure on the brakes, it is clear to everyone involved what is at stake now. Captain Robin Knoche explains this in Picture-Report: “We know the meaning and importance of the game. However, we have to find the right mix of pressure and composure so that you don’t get too tense, especially in home games.”

Small progress, which was recently noticed by coach Miroslav Klose despite the defeats, no longer helps the Franconians and the coach himself – Knoche is also clear about that.

Knoche: “In the end, points count. We didn’t manage that. It’s time we changed that again.”

The FCN balance against the opponents of the pressure weeks

And what does she say? Balance against the three opponents from the pressure weeks? So there are two defeats and one draw from the last three games against Fürth. Münster and Jahn Regensburg?

• Against Preußen Münster you can only rely on very historic statistics at FCN: In 1968 there was a 4-0 win in the DFB Cup. While still in the Bundesliga, the club won 1-0 in Münster (1964) and a 2-2 draw (1963).
• There should be hope for three points against Jahn Regensburg: 20th matchday of the 2nd league (February 11, 2023) a 1-0 win in Nuremberg. Plus a 0-0 draw in Regensburg (August 6, 2022) and a 2-0 home win on February 19, 2022.

If the FCN leaves the games with a negative points account, then it will be difficult for the FCN boss to continue to find everything “okay”.