Nico Neidhart is having a fantastic first season at left-back for rising club Sportfreunde Lotte in the 3. Liga. The club from the community of 14,000 in Westphalia are amongst the elites in the DFB-Pokal and in search of yet another upset. Sportfreunde have that chance in Osnabrück on Tuesday (18:30 CET), when they face Champions League side Borussia Dortmund in the rescheduled quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal. If successful, they will be one of the last four teams standing, where FC Bayern München will be waiting for them.
The 22-year-old Nico Neidhart is one of the squad’s most important players with 22 appearances this season. In a new DFB.de interview, he speaks of the third-tier-newcomers’ secrets to success, the numerous mid-week games, the return to the stadium of his former club, and a potential duel against his father, Christian, in the upcoming season.
DFB.de: You’re exceeding expectations with Sportfreunde Lotte in your first season in the third-tier. Are you yourself surprised, Mr. Neidhart?
Nico Neidhart: We knew we had a good team available to us and that we had the quality to compete in the 3. Liga. But having said that, we didn’t anticipate having this many points at this stage of the season. Anything is possible in this league, anyone can beat anyone. There’s no lack of quality.
DFB.de: Lotte already have one successful rescheduled match to their name after defeating FC Hansa Rostock 2-0, which shunted you up to the playoff-promotion spot. The automatic promotion spot is only two points away. What’s going on this season?
Neidhart: It’s amazing that we’ve got a cushion separating us from the relegation spots. We want to collect more points in order to guarantee our safety. Anything else in our first year is just a bonus.
DFB.de: How would you describe Sportfreunde’s secrets to success?
Neidhart: Everyone works hard for everyone else – whether it’s on or off the pitch. We’re a winning team that also played well together in the Regionalliga, and achieved promotion as one group. I would go as far to say that teams like us don’t come along often. There’s nothing better than having the privilege to play for such an excellent club.
Nico Neidhart is having a fantastic first season at left-back for rising club Sportfreunde Lotte in the 3. Liga. The club from the community of 14,000 in Westphalia are amongst the elites in the DFB-Pokal and in search of yet another upset. Sportfreunde have that chance in Osnabrück on Tuesday (18:30 CET), when they face Champions League side Borussia Dortmund in the rescheduled quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal. If successful, they will be one of the last four teams standing, where FC Bayern München will be waiting for them.
The 22-year-old Nico Neidhart is one of the squad’s most important players with 22 appearances this season. In a new DFB.de interview, he speaks of the third-tier-newcomers’ secrets to success, the numerous mid-week games, the return to the stadium of his former club, and a potential duel against his father, Christian, in the upcoming season.
DFB.de: You’re exceeding expectations with Sportfreunde Lotte in your first season in the third-tier. Are you yourself surprised, Mr. Neidhart?
Nico Neidhart: We knew we had a good team available to us and that we had the quality to compete in the 3. Liga. But having said that, we didn’t anticipate having this many points at this stage of the season. Anything is possible in this league, anyone can beat anyone. There’s no lack of quality.
DFB.de: Lotte already have one successful rescheduled match to their name after defeating FC Hansa Rostock 2-0, which shunted you up to the playoff-promotion spot. The automatic promotion spot is only two points away. What’s going on this season?
Neidhart: It’s amazing that we’ve got a cushion separating us from the relegation spots. We want to collect more points in order to guarantee our safety. Anything else in our first year is just a bonus.
DFB.de: How would you describe Sportfreunde’s secrets to success?
Neidhart: Everyone works hard for everyone else – whether it’s on or off the pitch. We’re a winning team that also played well together in the Regionalliga, and achieved promotion as one group. I would go as far to say that teams like us don’t come along often. There’s nothing better than having the privilege to play for such an excellent club.
DFB.de: As a result of multiple rescheduled fixtures you face a few mid-week games. Are you looking forward to them, or do you fear that they might be too great a burden?
Neidhart: It’s a mix of both. It’s true that they are really tough. After a while, it’s about what you’re made of. Overall it’s our excitement at being able to play so many games that prevails. Matches are more fun than training.
DFB.de: Next season in the 3. Liga you could come up against your father Christian, who is with current Regionalliga Nord leaders SV Meppen. Do you talk much?
Neidhart: We speak on the phone every day and share everything there is to share. I also watch SV Meppen when I have the time, and likewise, my father tries to watch Lotte as much as he can.
DFB.de: What would it be like to compete against your father?
Neidhart: It would be amazing. I hope Meppen make the jump into the 3. Liga. Because both my father and I have contracts running through next season, nothing stands in the way of the duel – providing we stay up and don’t get promoted (laughs).
DFB.de: Lotte aren’t just playing well in the league, but also in the DFB-Pokal. You’ve already knocked out two Bundesliga sides in the form of SV Werder Bremen and Bayer 04 Leverkusen. In the last round you eliminated TSV 1860 München with a 2-0 victory. Now you’re facing Borussia Dortmund. Is this the best moment of your career?
Neidhart: I think so. As a third-tier player it’s not often you get to the quarter-final of the DFB-Pokal. In that, I’ve already made unforgettable memories.
DFB.de: Tuesday’s quarter-final against BVB takes place in VfL Osnabrück’s stadium, with whom you are competing in the league, after the game in Lotte was cut short by inclement weather conditions around a week and a half ago. VfL was where you played as a youth player and then became a professional. Is it somewhat special to be the home side in the VfL Arena once again?
Neidhart: Absolutely. I played one game as a professional for Osnabrück, and thus it was there I achieved my dream. There’s always an excellent atmosphere in that stadium. Although we would have rather played in Lotte, I’m very much looking forward to returning and coming out the tunnel with the home team. I had never thought that it could happen again.
DFB.de: Should Sportfreunde Lotte achieve an upset, you would go into the semi-finals against FC Bayern München. How does it feel knowing that your next opponent is already determined?
Neidhart: To be honest, we’re not worried about it. To already be about to play BVB is a sublime experience that many others can only dream of.
