Hannover 96 3 – 1 1. FC Magdeburg
After advancing to the second round of the DFB Cup, 1. FC Magdeburg’s campaign continues with a tense league clash, as they face their former coach, Christian Titz, in a trip to Hannover 96.
The match in front of a sold-out crowd will be “special” for both the former FCM coach and his successor.
On Saturday (1 p.m. on the audio stream and live ticker), 1. FC Magdeburg will face their former coach, Christian Titz, at Hannover 96.
For successor Markus Fiedler, it will be his first ever encounter with Titz. “So, for me, it’s a game like any other. The players will certainly have a different attitude toward it,” the FCM coach revealed with a grin at Thursday’s press conference, while also putting it into perspective: “But it’s obviously a special situation, given that my predecessor did an outstanding job here for four and a half years, knows our strengths and weaknesses, and will certainly have followed our games closely.”
Nonetheless, Fiedler and his squad intend to “find solutions to surprise Hannover and pose problems,” fully aware that it would be a difficult challenge against a “opponent of high individual quality with the ambition to be promoted.”
However, the FCM coach also has several experienced consultants on his staff. “Of course, we’ve had a few indications from the crew, so we’re most certainly expecting Christian as well. As a result, we must all be patient and wait to see how Saturday’s game plays out.
Fiedler will undoubtedly be missing Philipp Hercher, Samuel Loric, and new acquisition Kandet Diawara on Saturday. Alexander Nollenberger has returned to training.
Hannover has enjoyed a great start in the league thus far. Titz and 96 started the new second division season with two victories. They’re seeking for their third victory against Magdeburg, who have one win and one loss thus far. This would consolidate Lower Saxony’s position at the top of the league while also putting the bitter cup exit at Energie Cottbus behind them.
The former FCM boss is everything from unconcerned about Saturday’s match: “Of course, it’s a special game.” I lived in the city for five years and played on the pitch with the players until recently.
When Titz joined Magdeburg in February 2021, the club from Saxony-Anhalt was still fighting relegation in the 3. Liga. Last year, Magdeburg almost achieved promotion to the Bundesliga. “That was my team. It wouldn’t be normal if I said I no longer have any connection,” the 54-year-old said in Hanover on Thursday. “But there’s a difference this time: we’re playing against each other.”
In previous meetings, Hannover has clearly had the edge. The 96ers have won four of their six competitive matches. FCM has only won once. In the 2022/23 season, Magdeburg won 2-1 in Hannover thanks to goals from Baris Atik (48′) and Luc Castaignos (61′). The last meeting in Hannover this spring ended goalless .
