Bayern Munich is the guest of Wehen Wiesbaden. The fact that this is just a test match and not all the stars will take part in it cannot dampen the anticipation. Only coach Daniel Scherning has professional problems.
SVWW coach Daniel Scherning at the first training session
Image © IMAGO / Jan Hübner
Audio contribution
Audio
00:36 Min.|Daniel Hoer
Image © imago|
to a separate audio page
End of audio recording
Wehen Wiesbaden have one of the best records in German professional football against Bayern Munich. The Hessians suffered only one defeat from the record holders – and that was an extremely narrow one. About eleven months ago, the third division side equalized from a 2-0 defeat in the first round of the German Cup against Munich and received the decisive blow in a 2-3 rout from one Harry Kane in stoppage time.
The truth is that this was the only meeting between the two clubs so far. The fact that they are both meeting again on Saturday (3.30pm) after almost a year should not cause any signs of fatigue. Either way, coach Daniel Scherning is looking forward to a sold-out stadium.
Nink: “From a child to a Bayern fan”
The anticipation, naturally, is much greater among those who actually have to play against the record holders. Ben Nink, who has just returned from the European Under-19 Championships as European runner-up and is about to start his first senior year at SVWW, should have a particularly high heart rate. “I’ve been a Bayern fan since I was a child,” says the 19-year-old. “That makes it even more important to me personally.”
Fans and players can’t hope for big stars like Harry Kane or Michael Olise after the World Cup; The national team players still have a short vacation. But the B or C team from Munich is also very high quality. “In games like this you have to think faster. The biggest difference is that the game is much faster,” says Nink.
Audio contribution
Audio
00:13 Min.|Daniel Hoer
Image © imago|
to a separate audio page
End of audio recording
That’s why his coach has mixed feelings about the comparison. This is of course an important moment for the team and the environment. “While most of the national players will certainly not be playing, it can be assumed that a few others will want to force their way into the spotlight with Vincent Kompany,” fears Scherning. “We will probably face a highly motivated team with a lot of players on the pitch who will want to take their chance.” Therefore, for him as a coach it was “not the best test game,” says Scherning.
Ambitious goals for the season
His focus is solely on the best possible preparation for the first game of the season against Preussen Munster two weeks later. He evaluates the just completed training camp Apart from Florian Hübner’s injury, everything went well.. He doesn’t yet dare predict where the season will take us. “We want to play a good role. But we also know that we are not in the best position in this league, given the economy and the environment. But we feel very comfortable in this role and want to start the season with ambition and determination,” says Scherning.
Youngster Nink puts it much more bluntly: “Of course, our goal is to get promoted. We will do everything we can to achieve this goal.” The test against Bayern should also be the first cautious assessment of the situation.