Fight for points: 1. FC Nürnberg welcomes VfL Bochum under pressure!

Fight for points: 1. FC Nürnberg welcomes VfL Bochum under pressure!

Next Saturday evening, September 23, 2025, 1. FC Nürnberg has a decisive game against VfL Bochum on the program. Both teams are struggling with difficult starting conditions for the 2025/2026 season, with FCN under particular pressure under new coach Miroslav Klose. After just one point from the first five games, expectations are high and questions about Klose's future tenure are louder than ever.

After Klose succeeded Cristian Fiél, who moved to Hertha BSC, on July 1, 2024, the first few months were marked by numerous challenges. The coach, who previously worked at SCR Altach in Austria, was already worried about his place. However, sports director Joti Chatzialexiou showed support and praised Klose as a meticulous and detailed coach. It remains exciting to see how the team will adapt to the new season.

The starting position of 1. FC Nuremberg

The situation is serious: 1. FC Nürnberg has shown little upward trend so far this season. Klose has not yet found the right rhythm in the first five games. With two injuries – Noah Maboulou and Tarek Buchmann – out, he is forced to make changes to the starting line-up.

In the press conference before the game, Klose presented himself optimistically and emphasized the solidarity in the team. The expected lineup could include the following players: Reichert in goal, protected by Koudossou, Drexler, Gruber and Yilmaz. The midfield forms a line with Markhiev and Lubach, while Justvan, Becker, Grimaldi and Zoma provide the attack. The young talents are there and many fans hope that these young guns will revitalize the team.

Pressure also at VfL Bochum

On the other hand, VfL Bochum also has its difficulties. After the dismissal of coach Dieter Hecking, the team now has to deliver results under the direction of David Siebers in order to free themselves from the bottom half of the table. The new coach demands intense and exciting football, and may order a tactical change in the form of a three-man or five-man chain.

Defenders Erhan Masovic and Philipp Strompf could move into the starting eleven, while some key players such as Ibrahima Sissoko and Koji Miyoshi are missing. For Bochum it will be about building on their recent successes and securing their first win of the current season. The expected lineup could include: Horn in goal, supported by a defensive line of Masovic, Vogt and Strompf, while Morgalla, Lenz and Wittek will operate in midfield. The offensive could rely on Bero, Onyeka, Holtmann and Hofmann.

The game will be broadcast live on Sky and RTL, kick-off at 8:30 p.m. Both the Nuremberg and Bochum fans are hoping for an exciting game that will show that, despite the difficult start, there is a lot of potential in both teams.

It remains to be seen whether Miroslav Klose can implement his philosophy in this tough competition after his positive experiences in the second half of last year. But one thing is clear: A sense of success would not only be extremely important for FCN, but could also be important for Klose's coaching career.

The pressure is great, but sporting challenges are ultimately the icing on the cake when it comes to football!