Magdeburg's Titz after Ulm: "Wanted to play it out too clearly"

Despite their defeat in Ulm, 1. FC Magdeburg remain in the thick of the fight for promotion to the first division. However, the 1-0 defeat meant the Elbe club missed a great opportunity to pull away from the competition behind them and catch up with the leading duo of Hamburg and Cologne. All teams apart from Karlsruhe still have at least a chance of finishing in the relegation places.

The fact that it wasn't enough in Ulm was partly down to a committed opponent who managed to deny Magdeburg space throughout the match. "When I had the ball, I was the only one who was free," complained goalkeeper Dominik Reimann after the game. On the other hand, FCM also lacked a few things, as Baris Atik noted: "You just have to try to beat them one-on-one and score the equalizer. We didn't manage that."

Magdeburg too awkward in attack

In the end, FCM shot on goal more often than the hosts, but mostly only created half-chances. The best opportunity fell to 18-year-old debutant Magnus Baars, whose shot was deflected out for a corner in stoppage time. Coach Christian Titz would also have liked to see more finishes: "Even if the ball is deflected, it might go into the goal. We wanted to play it out too clearly."

The FCM absolutely must do better on Easter Sunday against Regensburg, who are acutely threatened by relegation, in order not to lose any more ground in the promotion race. However, they will have to do so without Atik and Connor Krempicki, who both received their fifth yellow card in UIm and are now suspended. Decisions with which Titz struggled at the press conference.

Without Atik and Krempicki against Regensburg

"I now have two suspended players - we are already the team that made the game. Look at how many cards we got, you wouldn't have the impression that we were unfair," said the Magdeburg coach, who did not agree at all with the line taken by referee Nicolas Winter. In addition to the suspended players, Livan Burcu, who injured his arm and was substituted, is also doubtful.

Magdeburg lacked the penetrating power against Ulm that has characterized the team throughout the season. After all, the team from the city on the Elbe has the second-best offense in the league. That alone gives hope that goals will be scored again for Magdeburg against the weakest defense - Jahn Regensburg.

Wins are needed for the final

The FCM must win against Regensburg, Hertha BSC and Münster if they are to play for promotion in Paderborn and against Düsseldorf. And even if nobody in Magdeburg has to get promoted, it is clear that the ambitious team with its ambitious coach wants to achieve the maximum.