2nd league
Defiant fortunes after mistakes: “Nothing has changed”
The Düsseldorf team led by striker Vincent Vermeij (l) only got one point at FC Schalke. photo
© Bernd Thissen/dpa
The 1-1 draw with Schalke can still be worth a lot for Fortuna Düsseldorf in the fight for promotion to the Bundesliga. At least that’s how players and coaches see it.
“Our mission hasn’t changed,” said winger Emmanuel Iyoha. “Perhaps this one point is the one that ultimately leads to something special.”
With their seventh win in a row, Düsseldorf, third in the table, would have had direct promotion in their own hands. Now Fortuna is still going into the last three games of the second half of the season five points behind the direct promotion places. “Everything will probably go a little differently than we all think. There will still be a few surprises,” said striker Vincent Vermeij.
Coach Daniel Thioune also strengthened his team, which was clearly better after Schalke’s lucky lead through former Düsseldorf player Kenan Karaman (55th minute) and equalized through Ao Tanaka (67th). “Here in this stadium in front of this backdrop, this is a big step in the development of my team,” said the Fortuna coach. “We’re going home with a pleasant feeling.”