Leitl issues challenge to Fein: "Adrian has to get it right on the training pitch."
Three former FC Bayern München academy players are candidates to start on Friday evening when the league's smallest and most inexpensive team faces its biggest and richest.
Julian Green, Timothy Tillman, and Adrian Fein can all find their way onto the team-sheet as the Bundesliga minnows attempt to shock the giants.
Regarding the 22-year-old Fein, Fürth trainer Stefan Leitl issued a clear challenge to his on-loan FCB talent.
Julian Green, Timothy Tillman, and Adrian Fein can all find their way onto the team-sheet as the Bundesliga minnows attempt to shock the giants.
Regarding the 22-year-old Fein, Fürth trainer Stefan Leitl issued a clear challenge to his on-loan FCB talent.
| Adrian Fein. |
Then there is the case of Adrian Fein. The defensive midfielder has been loaned out four times by Bayern. The latest deal, which saw him given his first chance at a top tier Bundesliga club, was supposed to see him take a more active role and gain playing experience at the highest level. Thus far, it hasn't worked out that way. The 22-year-old has only logged 22 minutes in two relief appearances.
Asked about the prospect of starting Fein against his parent club in round six's kickoff match, Fürth trainer Stefan Leitl bluntly called his loanee out on what he deemed to be the requisites.
"That's up to him," Leitl responded when asked if Fein would play, "I'll be quite open and honest about that. Adrian has the opportunity here during the week to show that he wants to play and make it into the starting XI."
"Defensive posture is crucial for us," Leitl continued, "He has to improve there. We talked about it in a supportive manner. Adrian has to get it right on the training pitch. I expect a significant improvement in performance from him."
Fein has had some success out on loan to Hamburger SV and Jahn Regensburg in the 2. Bundesliga. He also scored his first goal in a European top flight when playing for PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Eredivisie last year.