Football Season Guide

Dusseldorf missed out on promotion last season after a heartbreaking defeat against Bochum in the play-offs. They somehow squandered a 3-0 first-leg lead, before losing on penalties in front of their own supporters. Not many would have begrudged them a return to the top-flight after an impressive end to the season under coach Daniel Thioune, but they were to fall at the final hurdle. Thioune still has the desire to fight on despite the setback and will look to rally his troops for another season. He will have to do it without star striker Christos Tzolis this time around, after the Greek moved to Club Brugge. He activated a clause in his contract shortly after signing permanently for the club, this meant they did at least get a decent profit from the sale. Dusseldorf were the highest scorers in the division last season, but will find it difficult to repeat that feat without Tzolis. Dzenan Pejcinovic has come in on loan from Wolfsburg with plenty of potential, he could be the answer, but is still inexperienced. The rest of the squad has remained intact so you would expect Dusseldorf to be exciting to watch again. The addition of some young talents should also raise the level. Rossmann is a pacy winger who is hungry to show his skills, while Mbamba looks a tidy player in midfield, having come on loan from Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen.