Rot-Weiss Essen will host Greuther Fürth on Friday in the first leg of a 2. Bundesliga promotion/relegation playoff tie. The match will determine the 18th team to compete in Germany’s second tier for the 2024/25 season. Essen finished third in 3. Liga, while Fürth narrowly secured the playoff spot after a dramatic final-day victory.
Ben Hüning scored a 92nd-minute goal against Ulm to secure Essen’s playoff berth, edging out Duisburg in a tight finish to the 3. Liga season. Manager Uwe Koschinat is hoping to avoid a repeat of his experience with Arminia Bielefeld, where he suffered defeat at this same stage of the competition. Essen are aiming to return to 2. Bundesliga after a two-decade absence, a period that also included a spell in the fifth tier due to financial difficulties.
Fürth, conversely, have consistently competed in the top two divisions of German football since the 1996/97 season, earning promotion to the Bundesliga twice during that time. However, they were immediately relegated on both occasions. The club also experienced heartbreak in the 2014/15 season, losing a promotion/relegation playoff against Hamburg. They needed to defeat Fortuna Düsseldorf by at least three goals on the final day of the season to secure their playoff place, a feat they accomplished with a starring performance from former Düsseldorf player Felix Klaus.
Despite their efforts, Fürth were left frustrated by late offside calls and missed opportunities. Noel Futkeu, the 2. Bundesliga’s top scorer with 19 goals, had a goal disallowed, and Branimir Hrgota missed a clear chance in injury time. Both Futkeu and Hrgota are set to depart the club following the conclusion of the playoff tie. Heiko Vogel’s side are now fully focused on securing their league status through the playoffs.
Essen are predicted to line up with Golz in goal, a defence of Hüning, Rios Alonso, and Kraulich, midfield of Hofmann, Brumme, Swajkowski and Müsel, and an attack led by Safi, Mizuta and Potocnik. Fürth are expected to start with Prüfrock in goal, a back four of Dehm, Elvedi, Ziereis and Itter, a midfield of Will and Arifi, with Klaus, Hrgota, Ltaief and Futkeu in attack.
