Arminia must win the home game against Nürnberg (Sat./1 pm/live on Sky) at all costs. Because in the fight for survival, it remains a highly exciting relegation battle. Bielefeld is still one of seven teams that could be affected. For Bielefeld’s coach Mitch Kniat (40), it’s a head-to-head battle until the last matchday. The home games (Nürnberg, Bochum, Hertha) are all the more important for the East Westphalians, who are the worst away team in the second division.
Kniat: “We will definitely stay down there until the end of the season. The league is very tight. There is no team that wins three games in a row. We have to give it our all against Nürnberg from the beginning, then we will also take our audience with us.”
At the final stages of the relegation battle, he has made a decision on one position. Keeper Jonas Kersken (25) will remain in goal. The goalkeeper has had some avoidable goals in the last games (Karlsruhe, Darmstadt, and Schalke). Nevertheless, he has full support from his coach.
“We know that a goalkeeper can have such a phase from time to time – whether in the Bundesliga or Champions League. We have talked about it. Instead of criticism, there was support. Jonas puts the most pressure on himself. It is now my job to take the pressure off the young man,” said Kniat. “I know what he is capable of. We are convinced that he will show the good performances in the next games that we are used to from him. And if he makes a mistake, the team just has to score one more goal.”
Full trust in the relegation battle. Kersken remains in Arminia’s goal…
