What is third division club 1860 Munich capable of this season? Even to an early sensation?
Before the DFB Cup cracker on Friday against Borussia Dortmund (8.45 p.m., live on ZDF), ex-lion Thomas Miller (59) is certain: “It will be a defensive battle. But nobody I talk to about it thinks the lions are going to be slaughtered!”
The former iron-hard defender (220 games for the lions) knows only too well how that feels.
In the 1994/95 Bundesliga season, “Killer Miller” and promoted team 1860 suffered bitter defeats at the start of the first and second half of the season against Dortmund: 0:4 and 1:5.
Miller: “We really got a kick out of it, Dortmund was a mature team back then, we newcomers. They had a top squad in Riedle, Kohler, Sammer, Möller and Chapuisat. Every mistake we made was punished – mercilessly.”
The two duels against BVB are still legendary because 1860 had finally reached the top again after 13 years and a march through from the Oberliga.
That’s why the letters BVB encourage you to dream today…
A scene burned into Miller (then a freelance finance officer): “My tackle against Chapuisat.” A photo of it even hung at the BVB office for years.
Overall, the lions drew the short straw against Dortmund, and there were 23 BVB victories in 47 matches across all competitions. The lions won 15 times. Will 1860 manage their 16th win on Friday?
Miller encourages!
“The Lions have a good team, have two players in all positions and can improve in the game. In contrast to Dortmund, 1860 is in the rhythm of the game. We’re not without a chance, even if Dortmund are favourites,” he says. What do the lions need for the sensation? It’s clear for Miller: “The longer they keep it 0-0, the greater the chance. Or like an early goal against Schalke last year in the second round of the cup (1-0 win, Lex hit in the 5th minute), ed.). The players are tough enough that they all have to work defensively on Friday. Everyone will go beyond their limit. You have to enjoy such a treat as a professional. You can tease them.”
The 4:3 thriller victory at the third division start could have been an initial spark: “The team has matured, players like Marco Hiller or Phillipp Steinhart can deal much better with the pressure that is always there with 1860. A year ago we would have conceded 4:4 – not this season. A win like that does a lot with your head.”
The Grünwalder Stadium is sold out with 15,000 fans. Miller will be there. In the stands. But anyone who knows him knows: the lawn would irritate him…
