Munich – After three missed promotions in a row, the goal at TSV 1860 for the upcoming season was clear: promotion must finally come!
Coach Michael Kollner is the one who openly announced this goal. In the past few weeks, the man from Upper Palatinate has reiterated several times that he wants a team for next season that has what it takes to get promoted.
Sporting director Gunter Gorenzel has so far responded to his coach’s request and made a change of team. Well-known players such as Dennis Dressel and Stefan Salger have left the club and there are now seven new players. The youngest newcomer is Jesper Verlaat, who will play central defense for six-year-olds starting in the summer.
But how is the team doing right now – and where is there still room for improvement? AZ checks:
Objective: Only the number three is missing
In goal, the Lions are in a good position next season. Marco Heller, who has been an important support in the past two seasons, will also enter the new season as the clear number one. With Tom Kretzschmar, Sixty also has a reliable backup up his sleeve.
The only question is who will take on the role of the third goalkeeper. This was by Giorgi Sekele. However, the Hungarian ends his career in the summer and transfers to the youth academy in Lions. Apart from that, there is no longer any need to work between posts.
External defense: Lannert replaces permanent emergency solution Deichmann
Next season everything will remain the same for the Lions at left-back, in Philip Steinhardt and Fabian Grellinger, the Lions have well-established players in the third tier with plenty of offensive leadership. If both fail, then there will still be a little lion present in the person of Maxim Greisler.
Newcomer Christopher Lanert, signed by SC Verl, can also help out on the left. However, he is set to be on the right flank and is meant to replace permanent emergency fixer Yannick Deichmann, who returns to his original attacking position.
With Marius Welch and Kevin Gooden, the Lions have other alternatives here, but both struggled with injury problems last season. In the case of Welch in particular, it is not clear if and when he will return to highs again after persistent pubic inflammation. However: In external defense, lions are properly positioned on both wings.
Central Defense: Three Cubs fight for the spot next to Ferlat
Planning should be completed here as well. And Jesper Verlat replaced the departure of veteran Stefan Salger on Tuesday. Little Lions Semi Balakah (23), Niklas Lange (19) and Leandro Morgala (17) will fight for the center on his side.
If there is a need, for example when switching to a series of three or five, Quirin Moll and newcomer Tim Rieder can also be withdrawn. So the options are plentiful.
Defensive midfield: Raider solves the six construction site
One of the construction sites last season was the defensive midfield. Daniel Wayne has struggled with injury issues all season and has never been at his best. Competitor Quirin Moll could not risk and lagged behind for a long time, he only used his full potential at the last stage of the season. Dennis Dressel’s actual eight (changes made to Hansa Rostock) often had to help out with the six, which he managed sometimes more, sometimes less good.
With Tim Rieder, who was in the market for the free transfer after his departure from Türkgücü, the Lions brought back an experienced midfielder with powerful tackles. The restored Quirin Moll and – if it fits again – Daniel Wein are available for this. So the problem area should be solved over the six at the end.
Attacking midfield: The show is still missing
But a little further from that, something can still happen. The departures of Dennis Dressel and Keanu Studd have already been confirmed. Richard Neudecker (end of contract) and Merville Biancade (on loan) are also linked to the club only until the end of June, but have not been formally separated by the club. For one or both of them to stay with the lions is not entirely impossible.
With Martin Kobylanski, there is only one newcomer so far. There are also two experienced Yannick Deichmann and Eric Tallig and Young Blacks Milos Kocek, Nathan Wicht, Marius Wehrle and Devin Sur. It is very likely that Sixty will add more here in order to have a broader base.
Attack: Bear, Lex, the choices are many
Here Michael Kollner will be spoiled for choice next season. Top scorer Marcel Barr and captain Stefan Lakes were already guaranteed success last season and should also be part of the starting lineup in the future. In addition, three attacking newcomers were signed with Albion Frenese, Finn Lakkenmacher and Myris Skanderovich.
In the past few years, the Lions have had the strongest attack in the third division – and this has now been reinforced once again. Sixty is really good at attacking.