Efficiency leads to a rout: MSV Duisburg celebrated a convincing 4-0 victory at VfB Stuttgart II. Coach Dietmar Hirsch praised the team’s maturity, compactness, and his strong new signings.
MSV Duisburg made a strong statement right at the start of the year. With a 4-0 (0-0) away win at VfB Stuttgart II, the Zebras recorded their biggest away victory of the season—they had already secured a 4-0 win at Jahn Regensburg back in August.
Dietmar Hirsch was understandably pleased, highlighting above all his team’s maturity and efficiency. “I’m delighted with the result and the three points,” said the coach after the match.
“We held our own well in the first half and didn’t allow much. The opponent had maybe three shots—all from outside the box. Stuttgart is a strong team, but they barely posed a threat in our penalty area.”
Although MSV created a few chances in the first half, they weren’t consistent enough. That changed significantly after the break. “The second half was very mature. We remained compact, transitioned well, and were then extremely effective,” praised Hirsch.
New signings make an immediate impact
The coach particularly highlighted the two new signings. Lex Tyger Lobinger contributed a goal and an assist, while Aljaz Casar impressed with his power in midfield. “Both made an immediate positive impact. Tyger scored a great goal and put in a rock-solid performance; Aljaz is just as present in the center. These are players who make us even better—you could see that. The key was the team effort—our cohesion, our transition play. That was really awesome.”
The 54-year-old coach took Lobinger, who was already on a yellow card, and Rasim Bulic, who was at risk of a yellow-red card, off the field early as a precaution. “I only found out during the week that Tyger already had four yellow cards. We didn’t want to take any risks,” explained the coach.
Tugbenyo impresses at number ten – training camp pays off
Jesse Tugbenyo received special praise for his performance in the unfamiliar number ten position. “We wanted to rely on physicality and play simple soccer with lots of long balls—as a tactical measure against an opponent that presses high,” explained Hirsch.
Tugbenyo neutralized the quality of the opponent’s pressing early on, won many first balls, worked hard defensively, and made an impact offensively. “He defended well and then even scored a goal.”
It’s no coincidence that MSV is currently performing so efficiently. At the training camp in Belek, the Zebras worked specifically on their effectiveness. “We had more big chances again—and we capitalized on them. Our efficiency was as high as it was at the start of the season.”
A statement win—and an MSV side that delivered its best performance right on time for the start of the new year.