Schmidt calls on reserves for Berlin

1860 Munich have a new man in charge of the first team and his first test will be in the German capital on Saturday.

The Lions travel to the capital to face FC Union Berlin who have only lost one game from their last nine. Last weekend they came from two goals down to lead 3-2 against Jahn Regensberg until a goal in the last ten minutes left both teams with an equal share of the spoils in a 3-3 thriller.

Schmidt has decided to leave regular midfielder and make-shift defender Kai Buelow behind in Munich, along with fellow strugglers Ismail Blanco and Marin Tomasov.

Stefan Wannenwetsch, captain of the under-21 team, has been promoted to the first team and may even get a start in midfield. Schmidt has been full of praise for the 20-year-old claiming his right foot is a "weapon" and with an attacking minded style of play, Wannenwetsch offers something the team are desperately in need of.

Back in the first team fold and joining Wannenwetsch for the trip to Berlin are Bobby Wood and Markus Ziereis. Both have had a limited amount of first team experience so will be eager to impress their new boss and push for regular places.

Turbulent times in the boardroom are back for Sechzig after their main investor Hasan Ismaik announced that he will break business relations with his aide Hamada Iraki over his lack of support in attempting to bring former England manager Sven Goran Eriksson to the club. Rumours are that he will install his brother (who has been learning to speak German) at the club as Iraki's replacement.

A few weeks ago, Aston Martin also revealed that their sponsorship deal with the club will not be renewed come the end of the season. These moves put money matters back in question again as the club moves reluctantly back into financial uncertainty.

On the footballing side the Lions team will be desperate to end their poor run of form against Union, having won only once in their last six games. A victory will mark a positive start for Schmidt and give morale a much needed boost. A defeat could quickly deflate them and give the new coach a massive job in terms of putting 1860 back on the promotion track.

Kick off at The "Stadion An der Alten Försterei" is at 13:00 CET on Saturday.