MSV Duisburg was unable to land a lucky punch against FC Hansa Rostock in the 3rd division. MSV was the better team for almost the entire game.

Throughout the game, MSV Duisburg looked like the deserved winners, but Hansa Rostock struck back twice.

Compared to the goalless draw in the top match against 1. FC Saarbrücken last Tuesday, Zebra coach Dietmar Hirsch made two changes. Striker Florian Krüger, who had yet to score, was replaced by Thilo Töpken. Top scorer Patrick Sussek was also allowed to start, with Jan-Simon Symalla watching from the bench at first. The expected returnees Florian Egerer and Dennis Borkowski were not in the line-up.

The scheduling of the West-East duel between Rostock and MSV meant that numerous tickets were sold well in advance of the match. The stadium announcer declared the arena sold out—despite a large buffer block in the guest area. The official attendance was 27,207, of which 3,811 were guests.

MSV were the league leaders and hosts, so they had to dictate the game. But the first offensive actions belonged to Kogge. First, a cross flew through the MSV penalty area, but found no takers (2nd minute), then Maximilian Braune had to save after Alexander Hahn deflected the ball dangerously (5th minute). The Zebras then became more active and found their way into the game. Joshua Bitter had a shot on goal after a free kick from the halfway line, but Rostock cleared off the line at the last second (15′).

Then came a brilliant move: a goalkeeper kick from Braune, a great cross from Bitter to Sussek and finally a solo run for the season highlights. Sussek made a spectacular run down the left, leaving several Rostock players in his wake and lifting the ball over keeper Benjamin Uphoff instead of crossing it (32′). – 1-0 MSV!

The goal temporarily silenced the Hansa fans, while the rest of the arena stood and watched the MSV’s next period of pressure. Shortly before the break, former RWE pro Cedrik Harenbrock scored with a volley from 17 meters, leaving Braune with little chance (45′).
A lead at half-time for the Zebras would have been more than deserved – the equalizer came out of the blue. After the restart, Hansa put on a little pressure, making the game more open. The Zebras continued to have the better chances. First, Töpken sent a flying header just wide of the goal (55th minute),
then Viet fired a long-range shot from Coskun (58′). The team from Wedau pressed in the style of a top team, leaving Rostock with hardly any breathing space. Consequently, Tobias Fleckstein nodded in to make it 2-1 after a cross from Sussek from the halfway line (71′). But once again, the Kogge struck out of nowhere: Harenbrock scored his second goal after a scramble in the penalty area (76′). MSV did not strike back.

MSV Duisburg thus collects another point in League Three and now has 24 points from its first ten games. Before traveling to Munich for their next league game against TSV 1860 (October 19, 4:30 p.m.), MSV will face KFC Uerdingen in the Niederrhein Cup on Wednesday (October 15, 7:30 p.m.).