M★RZEC - Man[ager] with a Mission

UNBEATEN RUN ENDS

Dresden, November 11 2023 | The day the First World War ended, also marked the end for the unbeaten run for Arminia Bielefeld.

In the final minute, home team SG Dynamo Dresden managed to boot the winner, resulting in a 3:2 loss for team-in-form Arminia Bielefeld.

The team had managed to climb to 6th place at only six points of leaders MSV Duisburg. The defeat however means DSC are dropping back to 8th with the gap back to nine points

The two goals scored do mean Arminia are now the most productive side in the 2023-24 3.Liga with 26 goals. Remarkable, as the top scorer in the league (Aygün Yildirim) only has five goals to his name.

Bielefeld ends the 2023 calendar year at home against Preußen Múnster, then away against leaders MSV Duisburg, the final home game of the year against Sandhausen and finally, a week before christmas a visit to Saarbrücken.

Having beaten a Bundesliga side in the cup, it would always be disappointing to go out against a 2.BuLi side, wouldn't it? Yildirim helped you through once again, what a star man he is. Win streak broken, but in general your results have improved since the start, and I can't see why you shouldn't continue winning more in the time to come.

On the path to promotion there. The cup win vs Werder Bremen has really turned your season around. Every game won since, apart from a sole defeat, if i remember correctly. Elevator side Bielefeld to be about to go back up.

However - with 8 goals conceded in the last 4 wins, and 32 in the league thus far, you actually have the worst defence in the league, joint with the bottom two. This should raise a few concerns, for what will happen, when you play some better defences that won't allow you to score as freely? Working on that defence should be a priority for Arminia Bielefeld.

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@JustinCase0110 wrote:

On the path to promotion there. The cup win vs Werder Bremen has really turned your season around. Every game won since, apart from a sole defeat, if i remember correctly. Elevator side Bielefeld to be about to go back up.

However - with 8 goals conceded in the last 4 wins, and 32 in the league thus far, you actually have the worst defence in the league, joint with the bottom two. This should raise a few concerns, for what will happen, when you play some better defences that won't allow you to score as freely? Working on that defence should be a priority for Arminia Bielefeld.

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That's weird, yesterday evening I posted a second addition to the story, but it was deleted (probably some bits of the live-text didn't pass the scrutiny test...)

Here's it again, this time across various images

PLAYERS & PROGRESS

CHANGES DUE TO FINANCE

January 2024 | DER TONI!

Bielefeld have chipped away three points from the lead in the opening games of 2024. Manager Daniel Marzec is giving minutes to two 17 year old youth products: defender Andre Frank and the highly prolific striker Toni Schumacher, who netted four times in just as many games; thereby being responsible for 80% of the January production. "The first fruit of our labour with our Academy: brilliant!"

2024 saw the introduction of a new system, with Marzec outsmarting Ulm: "The first game against Ulm, we somehow could not get control over play through our conventional 4-3-3. So against Münster I experimented with 3-4-3, which becomes 5-2-3 when losing the ball. That's where suddenly DER TONI came to life! He's your modern German Bomber á la Gerd Müller: physically strong, maybe not very refined but highly prolific. And it worked: the second time, we had the better of Ulm."

Toni Schumacher, what a start for him, and what a name! Instantly reminded me of the original Toni Schumacher, who was a goalie for West Germany at the 1982 World Cup, severely injuring a French player in the semi final. You've got yourself a good position in the top, could have nailed a promotion spot with a win vs Duisburg though.

Marzec blames himself for Cup defeat (2:4)

Bielefeld, January 31st 2024 | DSC Arminia is out of the German Cup after a 2:4 loss against 1. FC Union. The score line did not reflect the rather equal ebb and flow of the game, but dramatically bad goalkeeping by rookie Vincent Frank meant that the Bielefeld home team had to swallow more than it could undo in the latter part of the game.

Daniel Marzec blamed himself afterwards: "Not for fielding players without too much game rhythm. But it wasn't clever to make them all start the game perhaps." The manager gave a starting position to the debuting Vincent Frank on goal, his brother Andre Frank in defence, with Fabiano Krasnic being the third academy player present at kick-off. Reserve defender Semi Belkahia and winger Nick Shipnoski were the other players, that made their first appearance since summer 2023.

A special appearance was made by Fabian Klos (36). The veteran striker of Arminia Bielefeld is rumoured to be granted leave to a foreign club: "He always wanted to play abroad. This is his final chance. With Aygün Yildirim and lately Toni Schumacher we have attackers that can score our goals", Marzec explained.

"We are negotiating with a Swedish club, which means he'll be playing a full season there, as their seasons go by the actual calendar. We're close to a deal. Despite the loss I am happy he has scored in his final appearance for the club he gave so much throughout most of his football career", the Manager praised the old timer.

It was Klos who couldn't score the opening goal out of two early attempts. On the other side, the visitors from Berlin were highly efficient as two shots on target were converted before half time. "It sounds cliché, but it wou;d've been a whole different ball game, if we had gotten the opener instead of them."

But all remaining ambition were sunk for good by FC Union, when halfway in the second half Kevin Volland was able to make two laughably easy goals, clear blunders by debuting goalie Vincent Frank. Manager Marzec quickly intervened, substituting the unlucky youngster for regular keeper Jonas Kersken. He also brought in teen sensation Toni Schumacher, not instead but alongside Fabian Klos - thus, switching to 4-4-2.

In that system, Bielefeld dominated the final twenty minutes pulling back from 0:4 to 2:4, courtesy of both forwads, equally dividing the spoils. "I was very happy with our display on the pitch", Marzec concluded. "And I am not blaming Vincent, youngsters are supposed to make errors, so that when they get older and more experienced they'll no longer make them: good players never make the same mistake twice. But that also applies to managers...: this one is on me."

Apart from the probable departure of Fabian Klos, the manager has filed a request for an extra midfielder and a back-up striker: "We are looking at options. Our possibilities are limited. For the forward position, I am contemplating promoting another youngling. On the midfield position, I want some experience. I don't mean in age or in number of games: I am talking about experience at a bigger club, with an even stronger focus on performance and professionalism."

For the young goalkeeper there's definitely consolation in being backed by the manager after making horrible errors. But it's never pretty being subbed off as a goalie. That has to hurt, regardless of how well the manager backs him afterwards. Good adjustments though, coming back to a more respectable 4-2 defeat. And now you can focus on the league and possible promotion ahead.

Yes, but I really feel sh!tty about this one: the realisation that half a B-squad was able to keep up with a Bundesliga side and then still being 0:4 down after just over an hour, that didn't sit right with me. My strongest eleven might've gotten more out of it, but then the upcoming three months we are playing twice a week practically every week.

In reality a 36 year old would probably bring valuable experience to the team, thus being important to keep around. In game, however, the rapid decline of such a veteran makes it practically impossible to use him properly and fit him in. Selling him for a fee might be the best possible outcome.

I like the loan player solution, something I've also started to do more and more myself. Relying on two teenagers to spearhead your attack might be a risk though.

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@JustinCase0110 wrote:

In reality a 36 year old would probably bring valuable experience to the team, thus being important to keep around.

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We think alike: at this moment there is still Niko Alho and there will be an additional veteran for next season.

Very interesting club. I know in the English tier there are "yo-yo" clubs like Norwich City but that is from the Championship to the Premier League only. Having a team that goes from first division to third division in such a short time and then bounce back just as quick is interesting. 

It's been a good season for you so far. Building a youth foundation to develop while also fighting for promotion is the perfect start for a new manager. 

Tough fate losing so many players to injuries, especially when it's not rightfully punished on field... The manager may get in trouble for such statements, but sometimes it's necessary to be vocal about these things, to put some pressure on the refs, the association and the general perception in the media. A game or two in the stands may be worth that.

Deutscher Fußball-Bund threat Bielefeld Boss with suspension

DFB demands apologies and rectification

February 13th 2024  |  Daniel Marzec is in trouble. Two days ago, the manager of 3.Liga team DSC Arminia Bielefeld accused the Deutscher Fußball-Bund (DFB) or at least its officials of league distortion, citing an uneven advantage to opponents of Bielefeld in general, while mentioning 1. FC Saarbrücken in particular: "The DFB wants Saarbrücken to win and others to fail."

Meanwhile, Arminia Bielefeld have taken notice of the mounted tensions around their manager and immediately attempted to intercept the situation: "We have been in contact with both the DFB and Daniel Marzec. Our manager will be given the opportunity to take back his words, apologize and rectify the situation before the next game against Jahn Regensburg. We sincerely hope that the matter will be settled before our first team goes out on the pitch again."

Daniel Marzec however doesn't seem to pull back: "My players don't get those injuries because of hard grass... but my players are getting cards more than the opponent. Those are facts. I am stating the obvious. But instead of opening a dialogue they threaten with suspension, just to shut me up."

Bielefeld Boss Won't Apologize

MARZEC DOUBLES DOWN!

February 18th 2024  |  During the press conference for Jahn Regensburg - Arminia Bielefeld, Daniel Marzec refused to rectify or apologize any of his controversial words after the last game by Arminia Bielefeld against Dynamo Dresden.

'Apologize!? For the fact that I miss players due to injury? Apologize for another player due to -as I see it- unjustifiable red card? Apologize that I must fill up missing numbers with youth players? I don't think I have anything to apologize for. The referees are inconsistent and some teams take advantage of it and some teams -like ours- are heavily disadvantaged now.

'We managed to patch up Mael Corboz, although he isn't 100 % fit. But we are missing Julian Rijkhoff (suspended), Louis Oppie, Sam Schreck and Nassim Boejellab (injured). Instead, I am forced to play two 17 year olds. Fortunately for us, Andre Frank and Toni Schumacher have been promoted to the first team by us for a reason: because we feel they're ready for the big work.'

'But two others come straight from the Academy. Peter Friedrich (17) is a left footed central defender and Niels Kraft (16) is a powerful striker, practically two footed. But these guys normally perform in the A-Junior Bundesliga West. Compared to that, 3.Liga is like making your debut in the Champions League for them...'

'So, if anybody feels disadvantaged, hurt, injured, or taken aback, it's us. And if anybody who feels attacked by my complaint, I'd suggest to grow a pair. I think all referees are still able to fully perform their duties, we are not. No one at the DFB is forced to stay home, but some of us are. I'm not blaming anyone directly, but I am blaming the inconsistency of the refs. I feel free enough to do that and strong enough not to rectify anything. Now: shall we talk about football?'

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@JustinCase0110 wrote:

Tough fate losing so many players to injuries, especially when it's not rightfully punished on field... The manager may get in trouble for such statements, but sometimes it's necessary to be vocal about these things, to put some pressure on the refs, the association and the general perception in the media. A game or two in the stands may be worth that.

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You were ahead of the kerb, but that was the storyline I had in my head when it happened. It really felt from the winter break, that I was getting injury after injury but barely punishment for the opponent, whereas I got more and more cards including my first direct red of the whole season. While at the other end, Saarbrücken (on January 1st only in 7th) just marches on: as if it was pre-scripted (which the game obviously is)... But instead of it letting get to me, I thought I'll make a storyline out of it.

And I'll say this: I think y'all be surprised with the outcome...

I love the anger the manager is showing and backing his players. Reminds me of a Klopp reaction. Losing players makes it very difficult but it can be a fun challenge in the game. It will be interested to see how the league responds to the manager not backing down and instead doubling down on his words.

Next up: Saarbrücken. But with, or without their manager?

Can't believe how close it is in the top. 2 points to divide 1 and 4. Only 4 points from 1 to 5 and so on. Exceptional drama!

Saarbrücken next, a chance to climb to top of the league, if results go in your favour. Well, if your February results had been better, I suppose you would have been there already.