MSV Duisburg dreams of a home final after a 3-0 win in Sonsbeck. Dietmar Hirsch sent a little message to the competition from the Ruhr region on Sunday.

MSV Duisburg confidently fulfilled its duty in the Lower Rhine Cup and will remain in the competition after a 3-0 victory over Oberliga club SV Sonsbeck. After advancing to the semifinals, coach Dietmar Hirsch openly expressed what the fans want: “We definitely want to reach the final and win the cup.”

While everything went according to plan on the sporting front, there was also news on the personnel situation: Captain Alexander Hahn is back in full training and would theoretically even have been ready to play. This was announced by the Zebras at Willy-Lemkens-Sportpark. After dislocating his shoulder in Mannheim, which was reset on the pitch, the veteran initially gritted his teeth and played on, but was rested for the cup game and was not included in the squad.

The center back was replaced by Ben Schlicke, who showed some uncertainty alongside Tobias Fleckstein in the early stages and was lucky not to be sent off after a last-ditch tackle on Klaus Keisers.

Krüger’s second competitive goal – looking ahead to possible semi-final opponents

In attack, Hirsch relied on Florian Krüger as the lone striker, who impressed with his second competitive goal for MSV. Hirsch was not only satisfied with the running of his forwards: “The right attitude is crucial. And since I’ve been here, I’ve never had any complaints about the team in that regard.“

The team has had repeated problems in the cup in recent years. ”It was close against Ratingen and Nettetal. This time it was much better. It’s different on a small pitch than in the 3rd division, but I can rely 100% on the professionalism of the guys.”

When asked about a possible preferred opponent, Hirsch was clear. Whether it’s 1. FC Bocholt or Rot-Weiß Oberhausen, the 53-year-old has no preference: What is certain is that a tricky away game against a regional league team awaits the highest-ranked club and top favorite for the title in March.

If they advance, everything will be set for another final at their home stadium, the Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena. “The probability would be high. I don’t think they’ll let us play at the stadium in Essen or Oberhausen,” said Hirsch. The fact is, the DFB Cup would be enormously attractive for MSV, both athletically and economically.