betprepare.com

Heinl and Gottfridsson recover for Flensburg, Kiel without five players

Coach Vranjes even has some extra players so someone will have to head to the stands. Only pivot Zachariassen is out, but with Kozin, Henrik Toft Hansen and Heinel again, there are plenty of options available.

Getty Images

There's no point in mentioning that the 6.300 tickets have long been sold for the 87th derby of Germany's north. This time in the Champions League. Flensburg are two points away from the leaders of the groups, PSG, but the French have an extra match because they're already done with their visiting match in Zagreb. The first place means skipping the round of 16, which is a huge prize and Flensburg want to remain a part of the race for as long as possible. The situation is a lot more problematic for Kiel because they have a number of injured players, and five points less than Flensburg.

- Kiel have a lot of awesome players. I'm sure that this derby, like always, will be firm and emotional - coach Vranjes said calmly.

During the break almost his entire team was at the European Championship, they've been together only for a week, but what can make him happy are the comebacks of injured Gottfridsson and Heinl. Both could play today, although in minor roles because Flensburg have a number of players for the middle back and the pivot. Furthermore, Jakobsson came from the European Championship in top form, and Glandorf was able to rest, just like Mogensen. The Hamburg match has also been cancelled so they gained a few extra days to prepare, and Kiel are coming in a good moment for them. Which can't be said for the visiting team.

We've seen Kiel struggle on Wednesday against Gummersbach, especially in the first 20 minutes when Gislason held the 3-2-1 defense. When they came to 6-0 they started to look better. Because of numerous injuries, Lackovic, Anic and Mamelund are becoming important pieces of the puzzle in their game. With all due respect, that's not the defensive level for big things. And that's going to be felt in important matches.

On Wednesday they played without Rene Toft Hansen, Wiencek, Dissinger, Weinhold and Jansen. Brozovic, Lackovic and Jaanimaa had their debut.

- I really didn't know where we were before the match. Honestly, I was relieved when we won - said Gislason, and he especially praised Lackovic...

- It's incredible how he fitted in with all his experience. He played with a lot of overview and he was looking for his co-players, and that was important since Canellas didn't practice due to back problems.

The key to everything in their game is, without a doubt, Domagoj Duvnjak (scored nine).

- Dule was excellent as the captain - said Gislason who has an additional problem because Lackovic doesn't have the right to play (played Champions League for Vardar).

- It's going to be an extremely tough match because our problems aren't small.