ETB SW Essen have recorded their first win of 2023. Damian Apfeld’s team celebrated a 7-0 victory at Cronenberger SC. However, this victory should not be overestimated.
After three defeats at the start of 2023, ETB Schwarz-Weiß Essen made a brilliant comeback. Damian Apfeld’s team celebrated their highest win of the season at Cronenberger SC, shooting down CSC 7:0.
“That feels good,” said the coach with relief after the game. “We also played to nil for once again, which is so important to us,” he emphasised. The victory was helped by a red card in the 32nd minute for Niklas Burghard. The Cronenberg captain stopped Noel Futkeu with an emergency stop. “Unfortunately, from Cronenberg’s point of view, that was a clear foul,” said Apfeld, assessing the scene.
Accordingly, the Cronenbergers slumped a bit in the second half. “But the way we did it in the first half, also in the first half hour, when we were still playing eleven against eleven, that had something of the first half again. We didn’t let anything happen, we were very compact,” praised the 36-year-old.
Nevertheless, Apfeld does not want to overrate this victory. “I can’t say now that everything is fine again just because we won a game 7-0.” For that, consistent performances are needed in the coming weeks. “It’s simply a matter of stabilising, winning and getting back that feeling from the first half of the season. That’s our short-term goal. “
The coach does not want to look any further ahead. “The first thing is to get back on track. In the end, we have three defeats and one win from the last four games. Of course, we want to change that again so that we end up with more wins than losses.”
If possible, the next home game should be won. In the first half of the season, the stadium at Uhlenkrug was a real fortress. Only KFC Uerdingen won there (2:0). In the new year, however, the first two home games were lost.
Sonsbeck inflicted ETB’s first defeat
ETB wants to change that against SV Sonsbeck. Apfeld can still remember the first leg well. SVS inflicted ETB’s first defeat of the season. Jamie van de Loo scored a “dream goal” for the promoted team on matchday six.
“We are a bit warned from the first half of the season. We will certainly not make the mistake of underestimating the opponent. We don’t really do that,” explained Apfeld. The coach expects a physical game with many long balls from Sonsbeck. The deep grass pitch at this time of year also suits Sonsbeck.
In the end, however, the Black and Whites want to look at themselves. “It’s not about concentrating on the opponent, but to play your own game and to feel comfortable in your own elements and to show them on the pitch.