Third-division football club Rot-Weiss Essen travels to Waldhof Mannheim and former coach Christian Neidhart next Saturday. Two players are suspended.
There would have been no sporting reasons to change Rot-Weiss Essen’s starting eleven after the convincing 3-0 away win at SC Freiburg’s U23. But ahead of the home clash against second-division relegated Dynamo Dresden, Essen’s head coach Christoph Dabrowski was forced to make two changes. The reasons: Felix Bastians and goal scorer Simon Engelmann could not play on Saturday afternoon.
While Bastians is expected back in the near future, Engelmann is ruled out for another 2022 due to a foot injury. The striker made the announcement after the 1-1 draw in the catacombs. Dabrowski replaced the two veterans with Felix Herzenbruch and Isaiah Young. So much in advance – both players were able to take their chance.
Herzenbruch defended robustly and uncompromisingly as usual, games like that simply suit him. Young, on the other hand, caused a lot of alarm offensively and forced the 1:0 with an energetic run on SGD keeper Stefan Drljaca. “The guys who came in did fantastic – Felix Herzenbruch and Isi Young,” praised Dabrowski.
The squad is good, big and tight. This is the chance for the boys to get their hooves in. They can play their way to the fore.
Christoph Dabrowski.
The coach will have to change his starting eleven again for the upcoming away game in Mannheim (22 October, 2 pm). Because: Felix Götze saw his fifth yellow card and Andreas Wiegel was sent off with a red card. Both newcomers will definitely be missing for Waldhof. “That’s bitter, of course, but we mustn’t complain. The squad is good, big and close together. This is the chance for the boys who are digging in their heels. They can play themselves into the foreground,” emphasised the Essen coach.
The “large squad” mentioned by Dabrowski is more important than ever in this phase. There are good alternatives for the suspended Götze and Wiegel. Even if the absences hurt, the RWE fans need not panic. Mustafa Kourouma, for example, could defend at right back for Wiegel. After being sent off against Dresden and also in the previous home game against Saarbrücken (1:0), the 19-year-old was already used there and was convincing. Kourouma brings with him dynamism, a strong header, presence and offensive drive.
Clemens Fandrich could move into the starting eleven for Götze. The 31-year-old midfielder would be a strong replacement with his experience from 213 second division games. Fandrich is a strong runner, ball-secure and also gets involved in the offensive play. He tends to play a bit more defensively than Götze, but would probably take over the offensive part in the midfield centre with Björn Rother and Niklas Tarnat.
