What a week it has been for Magdeburg! First, there was the win against Bayern’s reserves, which was vital in order to show that the team is still alive and that there is a still some hope. This was followed by the presentation of a new sporting director, Otmar Schork. The week ended with a draw away at Kaiserslautern.

The conclusions form this wee are as follows: Magdeburg have won four points from two consecutive matches. This increases the points per game average from 0,78 to 0,80 after ten matches. This does not look particularly good but the fact that two games have NOT been lost is the real positive talking point. The point came against a dominant Kaiserslautern side which recorded 15 shots in contrast to Magdeburgs five; of which three went in the direction of the goal and Magdeburg scored one. The efficiency was thus better.

The other issue is that Magdeburg went one goal down. And bounced back. In previous occasions conceding a goal meant that Magdeburg lost the match: Halle, Dresden and Verl. At home against Wiesbaden they took the lead only to lose 2:1; away at Munich 1860 they conceded after taking the lead. Only twice have Magdeburg been one or two up and won the match: Türkgücü and Bayern 2. At Lautern Magdeburg came back from one down and kept the home side at bay.

This is not the turn around but it is a nod into the right direction. There is more to come and the tasks ahead are not getting easier. Next stop is another away game at Ingolstadt who were taken apart by Mannheim with apparent ease.

It is however the little things that the coaching staff can draw from and build upon. A win would be miraculous, a draw a confirmation of the trend, a loss a return to zero.