Third division club Rot-Weiss Essen have to bridge another week without a competitive match. After the friendly win against NK Veres, José-Enrique Ríos Alonso answered our questions.
José-Enrique Ríos Alonso is the perennial favorite at Rot-Weiss Essen. He played 2610 of a possible 2700 minutes in the third division, with the central defender only missing the away game at Dynamo Dresden (2:2) due to suspension.
Ríos Alonso was also one of only two outfield players (alongside captain Vinko Sapina) to play the full match in Saturday’s 3-1 friendly win over Ukrainian first division side NK Veres. He played at right-back in the first half and then returned to his regular position in the center after the break.
“In the first half, the coach wanted to try me out at right-back because Andi Wiegel was suspended against Duisburg with a fifth yellow card. Even though I’ve played it a few times during my time in Stuttgart, it was still a bit unusual at first. I didn’t get into it that well, but then I improved. My opponents were particularly strong on the counter-attack. In the second half, I played in my usual position. We played really, really well from the back and were rewarded with three goals,” explained Ríos Alonso in the interview afterwards.
The 23-year-old was delighted that the substitute Leonardo Vonic, who scored twice, and Sascha Voelcke were able to reward themselves with goals: “They’re both young players who need playing time, especially in games like this. It’s definitely positive that they scored.”
The match against NK Veres was actually supposed to be the dress rehearsal before the away game at 1. FC Saarbrücken, but the game was called off on Friday, meaning RWE will not return to league action until April 7. “The pitch is not supposed to be playable for two games in such a short space of time. But I’m not really into that. It’s a disaster for the fans, of course. The catch-up game is during the week and it’s a long way away. But we have to accept it,” emphasized Essen’s number 23
Everyone in the team is waiting for the Duisburg game. There can’t be any games three or four weeks before, we’re eagerly awaiting it. Derby games are always a case of their own.
José-Enrique Ríos Alonso
While the other third-division clubs are back in action next weekend, RWE’s forced break will be extended. The ball will not roll again until April 7 against rivals MSV Duisburg. Last year, Ríos Alonso scored his last third division goal in a home match against MSV (1:1).
The German-Spaniard is already looking forward to the traditional clash: “Everyone in the team is waiting for the Duisburg game. There can’t be any games three or four weeks beforehand, we’re dying for it. Derby games are always a case of their own. It doesn’t matter where you are in the table.”
A special anniversary awaits him in the derby. José-Enrique Ríos Alonso is about to play his 100th competitive match for Rot-Weiss Essen. The 23-year-old, who joined the club in 2021, has made 99 appearances in an RWE shirt so far. Game number 100 is to follow against Duisburg