When Viktoria Berlin host VfL Osnabrück on Friday evening, the promoted team will be in second place. But now, of all times, top scorer Tolcay Cigerci is in danger of dropping out.
The coach Benedetto Muzzicato wanted to use the international break, into which the Berliners went with three games without a win but at least a point at TSV 1860 Munich (1:1), for “rest phases and distance from football”. The 43-year-old told the Deutsche Presse-Agentur that this was “very important for the players”.
Nevertheless, the team did play, and in a test match against Dynamo Dresden, Muzzicato gave some of the players a chance to prove themselves. The final result, however, reflected the difference in class: 0:4. In the state cup, on the other hand, the two-time German champions (1908 and 1911) solved their task with ease. In the duel with the district league team BSV 92, there was an unchallenged 4:0 victory, which meant a place in the round of sixteen. “Every game,” says Muzzicato, “brings insights into whether the player uses his chance for playing minutes.” Indeed, for the German-Italian, ahead of the return to league action, it is clear: “Some players are important in certain phases. The bench will change a bit. “
Cigerci trained individually
But it might not only be the bench – Muzzicato might also have to rethink the regular staff. Because with Cigerci, an important pillar is threatening to drop out. The 26-year-old (six goals, five assists, kicker grade average 3.05) was already absent in the national cup because an inflammation in his foot slowed him down. Cigerci was only able to train individually. According to Muzzicato, it will probably not be decided until shortly before the match on Friday evening whether he will be included in the squad at short notice.
