Lok relies on away strength - Seitz hopes for returnees

Lok Leipzig are relying on a trump card from their championship-winning season in the battle for promotion to the third division. "We weren't the strongest away team in the Regionalliga Nordost for nothing. We will also try everything in Würzburg to perhaps make the impossible a reality," said coach Jochen Seitz after the 0:1 against the Würzburger Kickers.

Lok sporting director Toni Wachsmuth also still sees reserves: "We weren't as dangerous with the set-pieces. A one-goal deficit is doable for us, we have already solved other tasks," he said, referring to the away victories in Halle and Erfurt.

Lok can only win

Since the Lower Franconians were clearly superior and could have won by a higher margin, Seitz could "definitely live" with the 0:1. Psychologically, Seitz even sees a chance ahead of the second leg on Monday (18:30/MagentaSport): "Realistically, Würzburg has the advantage. But Würzburg have something to lose, we can only win." He wants to analyze wisely, "maybe change the structure of the game to annoy Würzburg a little more".

He also calls for "more penetration and more courage in tackles" in the second leg. In view of the injury list, Seitz has a residual hope "that one or two will come back". Five regular players were missing for Lok, "which is also decisive in a relegation match like this", said Seitz.

Third failure looms

Without a significant improvement in performance, the north-east champions face a third relegation play-off exit in six years. In 2020, they failed to make the leap into the third division against SC Verl and last year against TSV Havelse. Now the Bavarians could prevent their return to professional soccer after 26 years.

The Kickers were extremely solid, had clear aerial supremacy, were more present in the duels and also had the much higher tempo in the transition game. However, they missed many top-class chances after Liam Omore's goal (50th minute).

Since the change of coach from Marc Reitmaier to Michael Schiele in mid-March, things have been going steadily uphill. The team has been unbeaten in 15 competitive matches. "Everyone now knows that we not only have a good offense, but also a really good defense," said keeper Johann Hipper and emphasized: "Lok wasn't bad, I just thought we were very, very good." He believes his team is well prepared for the second leg: "We have such an experienced team, so many pillars in the squad."