Magdeburg supports Zukowski in hunt for goal scoring crown

Ahead of the final game of the season on Sunday (3.30 pm/Sky) against 1. FC Kaiserslautern, second-division soccer club 1. FC Magdeburg are relaxed and tense. Coach Petrik Sander's team is one point short of avoiding relegation. Accordingly, they have been working towards the home game. "The fun is at a higher level than three weeks ago, but everyone knows that there is still a step to go," said Sander.

It will be a special match for Mateusz Zukowski. The Polish striker still has the chance to win the top scorer's crown. He has scored 17 times in 20 games for the Elbe club. "You saw how he works in the last game. I think it's completely understandable that these personal interests are there when you're so close. We will support him in that respect, but whether Mateusz scores or someone else is not so important for us as a team," said Sander and announced: "He will score penalties if there is one for us."

With his 17 goals, Zukowski is tied with Darmstadt's Isac Lidberg in second place. Noel Futkeu of SpVgg Greuther Fürth has scored one more goal so far.

The FCM coach is expecting the Lauterers to be hungry for success. "I'm going into the game with the memory of what we've experienced so far. We've already experienced so much crap in our home games this season that we want to follow up the victories we've recently celebrated here at home with another one. That should be the main focus," said Sander.