MSV Duisburg will travel to 1. FC Bocholt on Wednesday evening (October 30, 7:30 p.m.). With a win, the Zebras can take the lead in the Regionalliga West.

Upfront: Except for Jihad Boutakhrit, Leon Müller and Jannik Zahmel, Dietmar Hirsch can call on all of MSV Duisburg’s professionals at 1. FC Bocholt on Wednesday, October 30, at 7:30 p.m. Only Kilian Pagliuca is still uncertain.

With a victory at his former club, the MSV coach wants to take the lead in the Regionalliga West again with his team. Of course, Hirsch knows that this will be anything but easy.

At the press conference before the game, he said to Bocholt’s Hünting, which will be sold out with around 3500 spectators: “I’m looking forward to this return. I had a good time in Bocholt. Before and after the game, you will certainly shake some hands and meet old companions. On the pitch, however, it is a game between Bocholt and Duisburg that we at MSV want to win. The stadium will be packed for the first time this season. Then there is always a special atmosphere at Hünting.”

Hirsch remembers last season when he was still the Bocholt coach. ”Hünting sold out for the first time against Alemannia Aachen and the boys played their best game right away. It’s a narrow stadium with a good atmosphere that pushes the Bocholters. They will play much more aggressively than usual. Some players might run five meters faster in front of this crowd. But we are prepared for that. It will be a battle of attrition. We want to win the game and celebrate the league lead on Wednesday evening at the end,” emphasizes Hirsch.
The majority of the coaches want to see a 1-0 victory.

The majority of coaches want to see a 1-0 win. The spectators come to the stadium to experience a 4-3 spectacle at best. We are working on the processes to become even more courageous and better in offense. Because, of course, we also know that the table doesn’t lie.

Dietmar Hirsch

Although MSV Duisburg has only lost one of twelve games this season, there is always criticism from the Zebra environment regarding the playing style of Hirsch’s team, who once announced heavy metal football in Duisburg.

“I’m very satisfied with the number of points we’ve scored. That’s the most important thing. In the end, it’s always about the number of points scored. We can finish first if we win on Wednesday. That’s also very positive. But, sure: the majority of coaches want to see a 1-0 victory. The spectators come to the stadium to experience a 4-3 thriller at best. We are working on the processes to become even more courageous and better in offense. Because, of course, we also know that the table doesn’t lie – neither in terms of the number of points nor the number of goals scored or conceded. We still have room for improvement there,” says Hirsch.