Felix Kroos: Magdeburg Could Be a Dark Horse in the Promotion Race

Former pro Felix Kroos believes 1. FC Magdeburg has what it takes to be a dark horse in the 2. Bundesliga promotion race. FCM is among the teams that could contend for third, fourth, and fifth place, the TV analyst said during an RTL/Sky media roundtable.

“I think Magdeburg can pull off a surprise. It doesn’t have to be third place, but they’ll definitely—let’s say—finish in the top six,” said the 35-year-old former midfielder for 1. FC Union Berlin.

Things are looking particularly good if striker Mateusz Zukowski stays—Kroos believes he’s capable of scoring over 20 goals. He also highlighted playmaker Baris Atik. “There are also players there who represent the face of the team and lead the squad,” said Kroos about the team that finished 14th in the standings last season.

Kroos: “That’s really special”

He explained that he particularly likes their style of play: “I like the approach—the soccer-oriented approach—that they take. It’s what pulled them out of the basement. Honestly, in the 2nd Division, that’s really something special,” said Kroos, praising head coach Petrik Sander’s team.

Magdeburg kicks off the new season on August 8 with a home game against Eintracht Braunschweig. A week later, Sander’s team will travel to face newly promoted VfL Osnabrück in their first away game.