2. Bundesliga 23/24 Season Preview: Fortuna Düsseldorf
Fortuna Düsseldorf had an interesting 2022/23 2. Bundesliga campaign, whilst they were mightily consistent at home, away from the fortress it was a different story. All told, a 5th placed finish which was a significant improvement from the largely forgettable 2021/22 campaign.
But, despite all the progress, Fortuna heads into a new season under a bit of a cloud. Whilst it’s largely the same cast of characters, offering stability and familiarity. Key departures and relatively unaccustomed 2. Bundesliga arrivals means that Düsseldorf could have a tougher time maintaining their place amongst the league's elite.
Let’s see if Düsseldorf can mix it with the returning giants, this campaign or will they be left behind as those below closes the gap?
Team Details
Stadion (Capacity): Merkur Spiel-Arena (54,600)
Kit manufacturer: Adidas
Nicknames: Flingeraner, Fortunen
Coach: Daniel Thioune
Captain: André Hoffmann
Signings & Departures
Signings: Vincent Vermeij (SC Freiburg II), Yannik Engelhardt (SC Freiburg II), Jamil Siebert (Viktoria Köln, loan return), Nicklas Shipnoski (Jahn Regensburg, loan return), Karol Niemczycki (Cracovia)
Departures: Kristoffer Peterson (Hapoel Beer Sheva), Kwadwo Baah (Watford, end of loan), Rouwen Hennings (SV Sandhausen), Michal Karbownik (Brighton and Hove Albion, end of loan), Dawid Kownacki (Werder Bremen), Raphael Wolf (without club), Nicklas Shipnoski (Arminia Bielefeld), Jorrit Hendrix (without club), Nana Ampomah (without club), Christoph Klarer (SV Darmstadt 98)
The summer window has been relatively quiet for Fortuna Düsseldorf with the plan calling for consolidation. However, it’s no consolation for fans of Fortuna with the clubs leading goal scoring from last season in Dawid Kownacki departing for Werder Bremen on a free. Not only that, being priced out of the Michal Karbownik sweepstakes will be incredibly disappointing. Especially when Karbownik is likely to return to the 2. Bundesliga.
Coming to Düsseldorf are midfielder Yannik Engelhardt and striker Vincent Vermeij, both featured for SC Freiburg II in a largely successful campaign in the 3. Liga. To improve the goalkeeping depth, Karol Niemczycki joins on a free and will provide competition for the established Florian Kastenmeier.
Potential setup
Daniel Thioune has continued to improve the Fortuna squad, not just new arrivals but established players that lacked self-confidence. But, with the aforementioned departures, what will the squad make up look like in their opening encounter against Hertha BSC?
With Karbownik and Klarer both departing. Players like Nicolas Gavory and Jordy de Wijs will get an opportunity to stake a claim for regular first-team minutes. de Wijs was fantastic during his loan spell from Queens Park Rangers during 2022, but failed to hit the same heights and was displaced by Klarer. Tim Oberdorf is currently carrying an injury, Jamil Siebert is someone highly rated within the Düsseldorf circle and is also in the mix after a strong campaign with Viktoria Köln in the 3. Liga last season.
Engelhardt is the only new arrival to the midfield core, but can he displace the established Marcel Sobottka or the flexible Shinta Appelkamp. Not in the immediate term at least. The returning Ao Tanaka from injury is important, the Japanese international was fantastic until his season was cut short.
Up top, Daniel Ginczek is expected to lead the line and now must prove that he is the way forward for Düsseldorf. He replaces club legend Rouwen Hennings as the most experienced striker at the club. The target should be at least 12 goals this season.
Continuity is the key, and by making minor adjustments to the squad, Thioune will be hoping that his tactically versatile side is better equipped for the challengers of this season.
Fan Perspective
Hopes are high in Düsseldorf, but will that be matched by the on field performance? So, I’ve asked Düsseldorf fan and host of the Belgium Football Podcast Ben Jackson to provide some insight and what we could expect from Fortuna Düsseldorf this season.
MK: What are your hopes for the upcoming season?
BJ: I'd hope that they are thinking of battling for a top three place this season, even with the other sides that have dropped down I think Fortuna would want to be in and around the play-off place at least by the last few matchdays of the season!
MK: Which summer signing are you most looking forward to seeing play?
BJ: We haven't made too many, but I am interested to see what Vincent Vermeij can do. With Hennings now gone and Kownacki, we need someone to find the net and hopefully it will be him!
MK: Who is one player from Fortuna Düsseldorf fans of the league should keep an eye on?
BJ: Every year we say this will be the year for Emmanuel Iyoha, but I don't want to put that out there again just in case! Shinta Appelkamp is one of the best to watch in my opinion, you forget he is still just 22-years-old. Nine assists last year and he only started 25 games, I think another good season and if we don't got up he might get a Bundesliga move next summer!
MK: Fans should go to the Merkur Spiel-Arena this season because?
BJ: It might be free for the weekend you want to go! Dusseldorf is a great city in my biased opinion, and the stadium is always a great place to visit. The atmosphere is always great and when we get going its a fun place to be. The free game idea could change so much in football and I really hope it comes off for us.
MK: Where do you think Fortuna Düsseldorf will finish this season?
BJ: I would love to say third, but I am just not sure when I compare us to the other sides in the league. If I am being pessimistic I think we end up around 6th, but hopefully that's still having been within touching distance of the top three all season!
Predictions
We are expecting the toughest season ever, and Fortuna Düsseldorf are aware of the difficulties that come with the arrival of Schalke, Hertha BSC and the established forces of Hamburger SV and St. Pauli.
It’s going to be a big challenge for Fortuna to keep their place in the top six. Teams such as Magdeburg, Paderborn and Karlsruhe have significantly improved over the summer, putting Fortuna’s place in the promotion under jeopardy.
Whilst it is very possible that Düsseldorf makes it into the top six, I’m having difficulty envisioning a campaign where Thioune and co are in the hunt for promotion. Thioune is a fantastic manager, but one wonders if they missed this promotion last season. It’s possible that being overrun by the teams mentioned before, meaning Fortuna drops into the midfield.