VfL Osnabrück 2026/27 season preview: Transfers, pre-season, predicted lineup & predictions

The VfL Osnabrück 2026/27 season promises to be an exciting one, with numerous factors to consider. The club finished atop the 3.Liga table in the previous campaign, securing promotion to the 2.Bundesliga with a significant margin over second-placed Energie Cottbus. Head coach Timo Schultz guided the team to a remarkable 24 wins, 8 draws, and only 6 defeats throughout the season, leaving fans optimistic for continued consistency.

Several notable transfers have occurred since the season's end. Lars Kehl, the club's most creative player, moved to SV Darmstadt 98 after his contract expired. Lukas Jonsson, the reliable goalkeeper with 19 clean sheets, returned to Djurgarden. However, Robin Meißner and Leon Optiz remain with the club, Meißner's loan from SG Dynamo Dresden becoming permanent, and Optiz joining from Werder Bremen's reserves on loan.

In goal, Jonas Krumrey is expected to start, while Luca Raimund and defenders Joel Abu Hanna and Konrad Faber join as free agents.

Pre-season has been short but effective, with the team focusing on integrating new players. A 1-0 defeat to Jablonec in mid-July was followed by a dominant 7-0 victory over Nordhorn in August. The upcoming pre-season match against SC Paderborn will further test the team's readiness for the 2.Bundesliga.

Predicting the lineup for VfL Osnabrück's Bundesliga debut against 1.FC Heidenheim on August 8th, the club's versatile squad offers numerous options for each position. Timo Schultz's tactical flexibility could be a valuable asset, particularly if injuries or form losses occur. The predicted lineup features Jonas Krumrey in goal, with Ismail Badjie, David Kopacz, Leon Optiz, and Luca Raimund among the key players, with Meißner as the designated captain.

While the club faces a challenging first season in the 2.Bundesliga, Schultz's ability to harness his squad's potential could lead to a respectable finish above the drop zone.