A fight for points in the battle against relegation. FSV Duisburg are deep in the basement of the Landesliga and are condemned to score points at the weekend.
For FSV Duisburg, it’s all about survival in the Landesliga Niederrhein 2. This Saturday, they face a basement duel against SpVgg Steele 03/09, who are also threatened by relegation.
FSV are now six points adrift of the drop zone and have not managed to put in a consistently decent performance so far this season. The situation is therefore becoming increasingly bleak from matchday to matchday. The relegated team from the Oberliga is in danger of being relegated.
However, not everything is going badly: The last two games against SG Essen-Schönebeck and DJK Arminia Klosterhardt ended in a 1:1 draw. Two points against mid-table teams that may not help much in the standings, but can certainly play a major role in the team’s mentality.
FSV Duisburg coach Markus Kowalczyk has a similar view: “I think these points will help. We are well on the way to achieving positive results. However, we must also be aware that we are still making too many simple mistakes in many areas. But we have enough skill within the team to be able to do that. I’m going into the next few games with a lot of hope.”
In order to avoid a complete collapse, FSV Duisburg must start scoring more points – and not just simply. The aim is to win against Steele: “It’s a thankless game for both. Two teams are facing each other who are naturally disappointed with the way the season has gone so far. We’ve now drawn twice and I’ve seen an improving team over these two games. So why shouldn’t we be able to win now?” said Kowalczyk.
Too much pressure and your own negative thoughts paralyze you on the pitch and before you know it, you walk off the pitch a loser.
Markus Kowalczyk
Kowalczyk doesn’t want to pay too much attention to the current starting position, however, and warns against too many mind games: “Of course there’s pressure. In the situation we’re in, that’s no surprise, but too much pressure and your own negative thoughts paralyze you on the pitch and before you know it, you’re walking off the pitch as the loser. We’ll throw everything into it on Saturday and then see what the result is. “
