Where is the fastest roller coaster in Germany? Exactly, in Paderborn – at least purely footballing. Because what the sports club has experienced in recent years, is unique in German football. A brief review: not so long ago, the East Westphalians under the former coach Andre Breitenreiter sensational managed the passage of league 3 in the Bundesliga and were allowed to compete for the first time in the House of Lords.
This privilege lasted only briefly. The SCP not only dropped back into league 2, but even directly into league 3. There the final crash threatened insignificance and amateur football. Only thanks to the forced departure of the Munich Lion Paderborn was allowed to stay in league 3 at that time. From this point on, the next turning point began: Steffen Baumgart is the name of the father of the current success.
The coach has integrated a completely new game idea into the team – a very offensive game idea. With this, the Ostwestfalen managed the immediate ascent to the lower house and then again the march into the Bundesliga. Once there, the “elevator” is finally supposed to rest and to succeed in the league.
Also in the German elite league Baumgart wants to stick to his game philosophy and right at the beginning he meets a brother in spirit. Peter Bosz also always thinks offensively. However, he has with Bayer 04 Leverkusen different conditions and significantly more quality in the squad. The Werkself finished fourth in the preseason and may compete in the Champions League.
No wonder then that Leverkusen against Paderborn receives very low ratings for the home win and is a clear favorite in the game. Especially on the first matchdays often happen one or the other surprises.
On the light of shoulder, the hosts may not take the climber. Certainly already in the run-up between Leverkusen and Paderborn the prognosis seems to be that the spectators will be well entertained and there will be a lot of action in the penalty areas.
Leverkusen:
The departure of Julian Brandt is certainly a weakening for Bayer 04 Leverkusen. The young international has joined the league rivals from Dortmund. But on the other hand, this is again an opportunity for other actors, as Peter Bosz has repeatedly stressed. In the offensive, the coach anyway has an oversupply. Kevin Volland, Leon Bailey, Karim Bellarabi or Kai Havertz – the options are numerous.
With Demirbay comes from TSG Hoffenheim yet another prominent name added. It still seems somewhat questionable where the path of the Bosz protégés can lead this season. The Dutchman has led the team in the second half of the gray midfield on a place in the premier class and wants to build on this run directly again.
In the preparation, however, many games went wrong and the results were not correct at all. Last week, it was time for the competitive match on the Tivoli in Aachen and the 4-1 success of the Bundesliga club, which was not very convincing for long stretches, can be labeled as a work victory. The first real acid test follows on Saturday in the home game against Paderborn.
Anything but a home win would be a big disappointment to the home side’s ambitions. Personally, there are several different variants that can be used by Peter Bosz. Defensive, much depends on the personality of Sven Bender. While his brother Lars is safely on board again after a strain, a shoulder bruise on “Manni” can cause a change in his posture. Dragovic would be ready as a substitute.
Bailey and Bellarabi fight for a spot on the outside line. At the headquarters, Kerem Demirbay can be used flexibly. He can start on the tooth and Baumgartlinger on the six or Demirbay instead of Baumgartlinger, which in turn would make a place for Amiri or Diaby. Bosz did not look at his thinking and has some options.
Paderborn:
Steffen Baumgart has a plan – and he sticks to it. That this is not just an empty phrase for him, but a serious one, became clear last season. As a climber, he mixed with his team on the second division and crowned a strong season with the rise in the upper house. There, too, the game idea should be retained.
Spectacle seems guaranteed in the Benteler Arena. Even in the cup against amateur teams can therefore be a shooting festival, as was the case last week in Rödinghausen. With a 3-1 lead in the back of the Bundesliga seemed to be the sure winner. But that too is the SC Paderborn.
The Ostwestfalen have so their defensive problems, still let the 3: 3 and had to end the move to the second round on penalties. In Leverkusen Paderborn, this forecast is daring, again not millimeters back and cheeky looking forward the way.
Especially against the also offensively oriented host could develop an open exchange. Last but not least, the odds are the decisive factor in whether the outsider can kidnap points from the BayArena or not. Personnel will not change the starting lineup compared to the Cup appearance great.
Top striker Sven Michel is attacked and Mamba will play next to him. The new addition to Energie Cottbus has been a good fit in the team, a strong striker who fits perfectly into the system. Behind this, a fierce competition for the other places will erupt over the course of the season.
At the moment, there are some players who are injured or have not returned to their 100% level of performance. Therefore, there will not be many surprises. If anything, Gueye, Zolinski or Shelton are alternatives. Oliveira Souza could also start for Pröger on the right wing.
