Sandhausen fact file
Thursday, 05. March 2020, 10:00 Uhr
The Boys in Brown go into Sunday's game at SV Sandhausen (kick-off: 13:30 CET) with plenty of momentum after two wins in succession. In contrast, things haven't gone quite according to the plan for the visitors in recent weeks, though on the positive side they did salvage last-minute point at Bochum last time out. As usual, we've taken a closer look at our forthcoming opponents.
Negative run
In a roller-coaster game last weekend, Sandhausen grabbed a late point in a 4-4 draw with VfL Bochum, showing great morale to recover from 2-0 and 4-2 down to ward off a fifth successive defeat. Uwe Koschinat's side had failed to find the net in any of their previous defeats against Nürnberg (2-0), Heidenheim (1-0), Darmstadt (1-0) and Karlsruhe (2-0).
Golden touch
Sandhausen coach Uwe Koschinat has demonstrated a knack for making the right substitutions this season, his changes having contributed to ten goals so far. Only four coaches have been more productive. Former St. Pauli man Aziz Bouhaddouz is their most prolific sub, with three goals, while midfielder Philip Türpitz has struck twice. Mario Engels has had a hand in three goals coming off the bench (one goal, two assists).
Ever-presents
Over the course of the season, the list of players yet to miss a minute has become ever shorter. With 24 matches played, only 15 remain - nine goalkeepers and six outfield players. In keeper Martin Fraisl, central defender Aleksandr Zhirov, and right-back Dennis Diekmeier, Sandhausen account for three of them, more than any other team. Striker Kevin Behrens has missed just 45 minutes, centre-back Gerrit Nauber 90. It should come as no surprise, then, that Sandhausen have used only 22 players this season, the lowest number of any team along with Fürth.
Penalties
In the 4-4 draw at Bochum, two late penalties from Kevin Behrens and Philip Türpitz, both awarded for handball, secured Sandhausen a point. The referees have pointed to the spot eight times in Sandhausen's favour this season, Bochum being the only other team to be given eight penalties. While Bochum have only missed one spot-kick so far, Sandhausen have squandered three.
MVP
With 28 goals scored to date, Uwe Koschinat's team have the league's third-weakest attack, only Dynamo Dresden (23) and Wehen Wiesbaden (25) have had less reason to celebrate. Kevin Behrens, in contrast, has grounds to be cheerful aplenty. The Sandhausen striker has scored ten goals already and made another five. Behrens, 29, has had a hand in more than half of his team's goals so far and with 24 games gone has the highest goal involvement rate in the league (53.6 per cent).
Photos: Witters
