After its 3-0 win in Sonsbeck, MSV Duisburg is dreaming of a home final. On Sunday, Dietmar Hirsch sent a little message to the competition from the Ruhr region.
MSV Duisburg confidently fulfilled its obligation in the Lower Rhine Cup and remains in the competition heading into the winter break following a 3-0 victory over Oberliga club SV Sonsbeck. After advancing to the semifinals, coach Dietmar Hirsch openly stated what the fans are hoping for: “We absolutely want to reach the final and win the cup.”
While everything went according to plan on the field, there was also news regarding the team’s roster: Captain Alexander Hahn is back in full training and would theoretically have even been ready to play. The Zebras announced this at the Willy-Lemkens-Sportpark.
After dislocating his shoulder in Mannheim—which was popped back into place right on the field—the veteran initially gritted his teeth and played through the pain, but was rested for the cup match and was not included in the roster.
The center back was replaced by Ben Schlicke, who made a few mistakes alongside Tobias Fleckstein, especially in the early going, and was lucky not to have been sent off after a last-ditch tackle on Klaus Keisers.
Krüger’s second competitive goal – a look at potential semifinal opponents
Up front, Hirsch relied on Florian Krüger as the lone striker, who impressed with his second competitive goal for MSV. Hirsch wasn’t just satisfied with how his forwards got off to a start: “The right attitude is what matters. And in that regard, I’ve never had anything to criticize the team for since I’ve been here.”
Especially in the cup, the team has repeatedly struggled in recent years. “It was close against Ratingen and Nettetal. This time was much better. Playing on a small field is different than in the 3rd League, but I can rely 100 percent on the professionalism of these 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: One thing is certain—a tricky away game against a Regionalliga team awaits the top-tier club and the top favorite for the title in March.
If they advance, everything would be set for another final at their home stadium, the Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena. “The likelihood would be high. I don’t think they’ll send us to the stadiums in Essen or Oberhausen,” said Hirsch. The fact is, the DFB Cup would be enormously attractive for MSV, both athletically and financially.