Viktoria Aschaffenburg is set to host DJK Vilzing on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 19:00 in their much-anticipated first home game of the year. The match has garnered significant attention after being postponed twice last week due to a flu outbreak that struck the home team, leading to 16 players sidelined due to illness, as confirmed by coach Damir Agovic.
The impact of the flu was severe, inhibiting any normal training regimen. Agovic lamented the challenges faced during this rough patch, stating, "We were only able to hold our first training session on Monday night after a week off, with just 12 field players and two goalkeepers present. It's a difficult situation; I’ve never encountered anything like it in my career. Yet, we aim to make the best of it and tackle Wednesday's game with confidence, as it's the home opener we’ve eagerly anticipated.”
This past season has proved tumultuous for Viktoria Aschaffenburg, which initially struggled, recording four losses in the first five matches. However, they managed to recover and achieve some surprising victories. Their recent form is promising, as they drew 1-1 against Nürnberg before triumphantly defeating the FC Bayern Munich reserve team 3-0. These results are expected to bolster their morale as they face their lower-table neighbors Vilzing.
"These results have showcased the quality the squad undoubtedly has, even if the current table position does not reflect it. I’m certain DJK will want to take something from this match, and that’s what we’ll be aiming to prevent," Agovic said.
DJK Vilzing, on the other hand, holds a slight advantage in terms of experience, sporting an average squad age of 26.2 years, which is over a year older than that of Aschaffenburg. Their captain, Paul Grauschopf, is the top scorer with nine goals this season. Despite a difficult start to the campaign, DJK appears to be on an upswing, having recently bolstered their squad with three key signings in the winter transfer period: Elija Härtl, Thomas Haas, and Alexis Frambo.
The team's history is marked by competitive fixtures, and the previous encounter this season ended in a scoreless draw, adding to the anticipation for this much-awaited rematch. With only six goals having been scored across their past five meetings, fans are bracing for another closely contested affair.
Notably, Aschaffenburg's squad has faced considerable injuries. Currently, they are missing several key players: Danylo Barudi (back issues), Michael Gorbunow (torn cruciate ligament), and others who are either suspended or uncertain due to illness. As Coach Agovic acknowledged, "Though the point gained in the Unterfranken derby against Würzburg was a positive boost, the uncertainty around player availability adds challenges we must navigate quickly.”
This anticipated clash on March 19 will not only be crucial for both teams’ standings in the league but also a chance for Aschaffenburg to overcome their recent hurdles and establish momentum moving forward.
