Braunschweig (dpa/lsw) – For coach Michael Schiele from Eintracht Braunschweig, the second division game at 1. FC Heidenheim this Saturday is almost a home game. The 44-year-old was born in Heidenheim. His family still lives in the village of Merkingen on the Ostalb, about 20 kilometers away. However, Schiele never played for 1. FC. His higher-class player and assistant coach career began with rival VfR Aalen.
“I was born in Heidenheim and already have a relationship there. There will certainly be some in the stadium that you know,” said the Eintracht coach on Thursday. “In the end, it shouldn’t just be nice. We want to be uncomfortable and take points.”
The 2-0 defeat against Hamburger SV on the first day of the game brought both great disappointment and renewed self-confidence to the people of Braunschweig. Because the promoted team missed numerous chances against the big favorites in the 2nd Bundesliga. “There was also a lot of frustration. But we shed that again. We can take a lot from the game and go to the Ostalb with our heads held high and our chests broad,” said Schiele.
New is the Japanese Keita Endo, who the Braunschweig team borrowed from Bundesliga club Union Berlin this week and who closes the gap in the squad on the left offensive side. The signing of the 24-year-old puts Schiele in a position to tactically rely on the 4-2-3-1 system from the promotion season. “He’s a quiet guy and just makes us much more versatile in attack. He’s an option for Saturday,” revealed the coach.
