Jakob Golz will miss the explosive start between Rot-Weiss Essen and 1860 Munich. However, coach Uwe Koschinat is not concerned.

This news is likely to have come as a shock to many Rot-Weiss Essen fans. At the press conference ahead of the match against TSV 1860 Munich on Friday, August 1, at 7 p.m., RWE coach Uwe Koschinat had just announced that Michael Kostka, Lucas Brumme, and Marvin Obuz were fit again and would therefore be available for selection. Nico Schulte-Kellinghaus, on the other hand, will be missing, but to Essen’s relief, not with a cruciate ligament rupture as feared. Jaka Cuber Potocnik is still in individual training. The game comes too early for him.

And then the bitter news: Jakob Golz will be out. “That’s a clear instruction from the medical department,” said Koschinat. Golz suffered an insect bite on his knee during the training camp in Wesendorf. He still played in the test matches against 1. FC Magdeburg (5-2) and FC Augsburg (2-1). At first, the bite didn’t really have any effect, said Koschinat. The problem first became apparent before the final test match against FCA. However, the swelling cannot be adequately treated in time for the match against TSV 1860 Munich. Golz has to take strong medication. “Felix Wienand will be in goal. He has had a very good preseason and also played outstandingly at the end of last season. The team trusts him one hundred percent.”

Golz’s absence comes at a bitter time for RWE. After all, the regular goalkeeper has just had a successful preseason. Golz is one of the players who helped RWE maintain its momentum over the summer after a successful second half of the season. Now Felix Wienand will take his place. Uwe Koschinat has confirmed this once again.

Koschinat had already expressed his confidence in the 23-year-old in the final stages of last season. Wienand was given a chance to play in the last four third division games, as well as in the Niederrhein Cup final against MSV Duisburg (2-1). Wienand was to be tested in case Golz decided to leave. But the number one stayed and cemented his status. But now it’s Wienand’s turn after all. The RWE coach explained that the fact that Wienand had already gained playing experience in the final phase of last season had a particularly positive influence on Koschinat and Wienand’s mentor Manuel Lenz. “He certainly believed in himself. We had suspected beforehand that we had a good man in the number two position. Now we know it.” Wienand is capable of delivering even at a highly emotional level. After all, nothing else can be expected at a sold-out Hafenstraße.