VfL Osnabrück: Electrifying atmosphere & momentum from first win | OneFootball

It was a little moment of relief for the men in purple and white when the final whistle sounded at Bochum’s Ruhrstadion on Friday night. Two defeats at the start of the new season had considerably dampened the mood at VfL Osnabrück following their return to Bundesliga 2, but now Timo Schultz’s side could celebrate the longed-for first win of the campaign. The promoted club had to fight hard for a long time for it – after an early goal from Ismail Badjie and a strong first half, the Purple-Whites had to withstand a few waves of attack from Bochum in the second period. In the end, though, they held on for a vital 1-0 success. The result should give the Lower Saxony side a momentum boost ahead of probably the biggest match in the club’s recent history. On Wednesday, FC Bayern visit in the first round of the DFB Cup. We take a closer look at Munich’s opponents.

Promotion after strong finish

Osnabrück achieved promotion to Bundesliga 2 last season thanks to an outstanding second half of the campaign. The Purple-Whites were in sixth place at the halfway stage but collected an impressive 15 wins from their final 19 games, losing just once. That saw them finish comfortably top and deservedly promoted.

Several transfers but continuity in first-choice XI

There has been considerable movement in the Osnabrück squad in the summer following promotion. Among those who have left the club are goalkeeper Lukas Jonsson, midfield playmaker Lars Kehl, who contributed eight goals and 12 assists last season, and attacking midfielder David Kopacz. However, the majority of the core of the squad, in particular the back three who were largely responsibly for Osnabrück boasting the best defence in the third tier last term with just 34 goals conceded in 38 games, has remained with the club. Top goalscorer Robin Meißner (14 goals) made his loan move from Dynamo Dresden permanent. Jonas Krumrey (on loan from Holstein Kiel) is the new first-choice goalkeeper for VfL, while experienced attacking midfielder Adrian Beck has also joined on loan from 1. FC Heidenheim.

With the win at Bochum, VfL have arrived in Bundesliga 2 after the opening defeats against Heidenheim (4-3) and 1. FC Magdeburg (3-0). Now they want to upset Bayern. The two teams have met three times before in the DFB Cup. In 1978, the then second-tier side landed a sensational 5-4 victory in Munich. In 2001 (2-0) and 2004 (3-2), FCB narrowly saw off VfL.

Osnabrück’s biggest asset

Bayern have already experienced that a cup game in Osnabrück is anything but easy. In 2004, the winning goal from Roy Makaay didn’t come until the last minute. A big factor on these special nights is undoubtedly the ground. The Stadion an der Bremer Brücke has cult status in German football. Despite several upgrades, the stadium has retained much of its old character, with the closeness of the stands to the pitch giving it the feel of a traditional football ground. Particularly under the floodlights, the atmosphere is special. Every tackle, every ball won or a dubious referee’s decision can immediately ignite the whole crowd.

Bayern will have to confront that on Wednesday night and show the mentality and fighting spirit required to let their technical abilities shine through.

Test you knowledge of the match at Osnabrück in our Matchday Quiz:

Matchday Quiz: Bayern vs. Osnabrück