Mike Büskens: Need to pick up points

“I’m staying optimistic. There’s a chance that I will be able to be there. We are in touch daily, so it’s just a matter of time,” said Büskens. Should he not be present on the touchline in Ingolstadt, the coach already has a back-up plan in place. “We will set it up so that we are still able to communicate,” he said. The team have been using a similar set-up during training this week, with Büskens watching a live video feed in his basement at home.

Constant communication between the coaches, staff and team

Assistant coach Matthias Kreutzer and former player Tim Hoogland (normally part of the U17s coaching staff) have been handling training during Büskens’ absence. “Our entire team, from the coaches to the staff, are doing a great job,” Büskens said, adding that he is in regular contact with all those involved, including the physiotherapists and medical staff, in order to help plan training sessions. However, Büskens is missing “the feeling of being there with the lads.” Instead, he has been keeping in touch with them over the phone. “I contacted each of them individually, in order to reach them and tell them about my ideas,” he said.

The match in Ingolstadt is one of just nine remaining, and the aim going into the end of the season is clear: to pick up all three points, starting this weekend. “I’m always looking to get the best out of everyone. We know that we will have to pick up a lot of points if we still want to have a chance at promotion. We will do everything in order to remain in the race,” said Büskens. He added that the team have the quality and character needed to achieve this. “We have a strong team spirit. All the lads contribute and bring in a lot of energy,” he said.

Sunday’s opponents are bottom of the league with just 15 points, and Büskens has made sure to thoroughly analyse them. However, he isn’t letting their current position in the table provide a false sense of security, saying “Ingolstadt drew 1-1 in Bremen a few weeks ago, and beat Nürnberg 5-0 before that. They will give everything to pick up points against us, in order to improve their chances of staying up.” Büskens was able to draw important conclusions from that aforementioned win against FCN, saying “Four of their five goals came on the counter. We can’t allow that to happen.”

Suspected positive Covid test result for Latza

Two players remain a doubt for this weekend’s match. Danny Latza is suspected to have contracted Covid-19, while Thomas Ouwejan’s recent muscle issues may keep him out of the squad this weekend as well.

Michael Langer and Andreas Vindheim (both rehab), Dong-gyeong Lee (broken foot) and Salif Sané (muscle injury vs. Rostock) will definitely miss the match against Ingolstadt. According to Büskens, Sané will be sidelined for several weeks. Mehmet Can Aydin was able to complete parts of training in recent days after having suffered a thigh muscle injury in January, but won’t be fit in time for Sunday. “He still needs some time,” said Büskens.