Fortuna Düsseldorf’s coach Daniel Thioune seemed resigned to not being promoted from the 2nd Bundesliga after the team drew 1-1 against Heidenheim. He stated that they needed to think about what they needed in the 2nd Bundesliga next season. However, his following statement went unnoticed, as he said: “if something very special doesn’t happen.” Now, it almost seems like Thioune is starting to believe in the “very special” more and more each day.
Thioune has since announced that there is a maximum of 30 points left in the season and that they should not get too caught up in what other teams are doing. Fortuna has been in a very similar situation with the legendary Norbert Meier. Meier rose to the 2nd and 1st place with Fortuna. Thioune hopes to do the same and become the great hero.
In 2009, Meier led Fortuna to victory. After a crazy 5:5 in Braunschweig, they remained in 4th place after 35 of 38 third division games. Many doubted Meier’s sanity when he announced that he was convinced they would get promoted. However, Paderborn and Haching blundered, Fortuna won three victories and returned as second after a decade in the 2nd division.
Thioune seems to be nervously talking to Paderborn and Heidenheim. He does not want to give anything away and stated: “I know the situation when you run away from the front and teams suddenly appear in the rear-view mirror.” Thioune is a dreamer, and maybe he will follow in Meier’s footsteps and lead Fortuna to victory.
