Third-division side Rot-Weiss Essen must quickly put their poor performance against Verl behind them and focus on Hansa Rostock. Manuel Wintzheimer has also set out this course of action.

Manuel Wintzheimer scored against SC Verl for the third competitive game in a row. The Rot-Weiss Essen striker scored the 1-2 goal in the 72nd minute from the penalty spot. In the end, however, even he couldn’t prevent the disappointing 1-3 home defeat.

Nevertheless, Wintzheimer’s current form was at least one positive aspect of this emotional Wednesday evening. “I’m obviously delighted with my goal, but the team comes first. We need to pick up points,” emphasized the center forward in the post-match interview in the tunnel.

Overall, RWE struggled throughout the entire 95 minutes to get a grip on their opponents, who dominated the game with a lot of possession. The Essen team played too passively, only pushing forward a little more when they were down to ten men. However, two chances in the entire game were obviously far too few. Even Wintzheimer, who is usually good at holding up the ball, was not involved enough. The center forward also felt that Julian Eitschberger’s red card played a major role in the game:

“We knew that Verl is a strong team and plays good soccer. The red card was obviously annoying. It was difficult to chase the game for 60 minutes against a strong opponent. We were able to create a few chances in the second half, but unfortunately we didn’t get anything out of it in the end. Fortunately, we have another game on Saturday. Then we can improve on the things we did badly against Verl.”

Tomorrow (October 26, 2 p.m.), Rot-Weiss Essen will be away to Hansa Rostock. The second division relegation side are in a relegation spot, have lost their last two games in a row and sacked coach Bernd Hollerbach on Thursday.

For RWE, a win would be crucial to give themselves some breathing space at the bottom of the table. Head coach Christoph Dabrowski’s side currently have a one-point cushion above the relegation zone. Wintzheimer knows what is at stake:

Both teams are under pressure. We are a team that is intact. That’s a fact, and that’s why I’m not worried about it.

Manuel Wintzheimer.

“I’m not looking at the table yet, but every point or win is good, of course. Both teams are under pressure. We are a team that is intact. That’s a fact, and that’s why I’m not worried about it.”