In a crucial clash within the Regionalliga Nord, VfB Oldenburg will face Hamburger SV II on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 18:00 at Marschwegstadion, with significant stakes on the line as they battle for league survival.
The Oldenburg team is coming off a streak of ten games without a loss, placing them 13th in the standings. However, relegation remains a looming threat due to the uncertain number of teams slated to drop from the league. Adding to the urgency, Oldenburg suffered a humiliating 0:5 defeat in the previous encounter with HSV II in September.
Dario Fossi, the head coach of VfB, reflected on that match, saying, "It was the second game under my leadership and on artificial turf. There have been many changes since then." He emphasizes the want to rectify that loss, declaring, "We certainly want to make amends for the 0:5. We're not out of the woods yet; we need points."
For their part, Hamburger SV II has seen changes in coaching staff since their last match against Oldenburg. Loic Favé, who oversaw the first leg loss, is now working as an assistant under Merlin Polzin, who has taken over as head coach of the second team after Steffen Baumgart's departure to lead the first team. The current head coach, Soner Uysal, previously served as Favé's assistant.
Notably, Robert Glatzel, a crucial striker from the HSV II squad, might return for this match after recovering from a long injury layoff. He recently made his comeback during a professional match against 1. FC Magdeburg on March 14,2025. In his first match back, Glatzel scored a penalty in a 3:0 test win against Phönix Lübeck, stating, "90 minutes are still not there, but overall it looks good. I can handle 45 minutes."
While Glatzel has been sidelined, we saw the emergence of talented striker Omar Sillah, who has already netted 18 goals this season, including one against VfB Oldenburg in the first matchup.
In their last game against FC St. Pauli II, a 2:2 draw, Oldenburg’s Aurel Loubongo missed a penalty, highlighting their ongoing struggles with set pieces. Fossi acknowledged the problem, stating, "You can't train someone to handle pressure; there is no way to create that in practice. We decide who takes penalties based on the game situation."
The goalkeeping position remains uncertain for this match, with Fossi weighing between Jhonny Peitzmeier and Steven Mensah. For Mensah, this match holds additional significance as he faces his former club, with whom he played until mid-2024.
Additionally, on the horizon, Hamburger SV is firmly positioned at the top of the 2. Bundesliga with 48 points, closely trailed by 1. FC Köln and others. The optimism is palpable among the players, especially goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes, who remarked, "I feel a special strength and inner translation within the team." He emphasized the importance of preparation, stating, "We have a plan, which gives us security on the pitch. We give our all to achieve promotion."
The anticipation is high across both clubs as this match could very well determine crucial league positions amid a tightly contested season. With the stakes raised and both teams eager for victory, fans can expect an exciting clash at the Marschwegstadion.
