After relegation from the Regionalliga, SV Straelen wants to make a complete fresh start in the Oberliga and put the relegation season behind them.

After relegation from the Regionalliga West, SV Straelen now starts the Oberliga season with new coach Sunay Acar.

After an intensive preparation, a comprehensive shake-up was carried out in order to be perfectly prepared for a new start.

A detailed squad analysis was carried out to identify the weak points of the previous season. “We parted with the players who disappointed us last season,” explains Acar.

The core of the 17-man squad is in place, but positions such as central defender, midfielder and attacking player are still open. Despite the squad gaps, no hasty decisions have been made.

We did not sign by name, but only by quality and character.

Sunay Acar

“The newcomers are partly players who were considered young talents in their old club and now ii Straelen want to improve and prove themselves,” explains the coach. “We have not signed by name, but only by quality and character,” he clarifies. “We now have all but three players from last year’s squad, all new arrivals.”

On Saturday (August 12) at 6 p.m., the new Straelen team will be able to hold its own against Schwarz-Weiß Essen away from home in the first Oberliga match of the 2023/2024 season. “Schwarz-Weiß Essen is very strong,” the coach judges from his observations. The Essen team is seen as a serious contender for the title. “ETB’s right side is enormously strong and offensive,” the coach adds, stressing the need to control spaces and contain ETB’s offensive power.

Straelen’s approach to the upcoming match is clarified by Acar: “Regarding the match, there are no special preparations. The only difference is that it is a point game. This creates a different kind of tension, concentration and focus.”

The coach is focusing on gradual success and modest goals: “I don’t even want to talk about moving up. We are performance-oriented and have to deliver. After last season’s relegation, there is a great desire for us to play good soccer. We also want to do justice to the fans and ourselves.”

His focus is on making the first championship game a success. Greater expectations for the season are being held back, “Certainly we want to win every game, whether we succeed, I don’t know and I can’t say.” Nevertheless, he shows determination, “We are so focused that we want to take small steps and make the first game against Schwarz-Weiß Essen successful. “