The third division match between Rot-Weiss Essen and 1. FC Saarbrücken has been postponed. It’s almost grotesque how games against each other are either upgraded or downgraded.

The initial situation is clear: Because the DFB Cup semi-final between 1. FC Saarbrücken and 1. FC Kaiserslautern (Tuesday, April 2, 8:45 p.m.) is apparently more important than the third division home match against Rot-Weiss Essen (scheduled for Saturday, March 30), the DFB has postponed the league match to April 24 (7 p.m.).

The reason given, according to which the Saarbrücken club’s disastrous pitch cannot cope with two games in just a few days, has left most people shaking their heads.

RWE will have to see what the competition does and then have three away games in ten days (April 14 in Bielefeld, April 21 in Mannheim and April 24 in Saarbrücken). Meanwhile, Kaiserslautern, Saarbrücken’s opponents, have to play Fortuna Düsseldorf on Saturday before the semi-final and fight for survival in the 2nd division.

The DFB doesn’t care about any of this, nor can it expect any criticism from Saarbrücken. The city is backing the decision, for which it naturally understands.

A press release from the city states that the work on the pitch is having an effect, but they can still understand the decision. Head of Construction Patrick Berberich: “Our work has noticeably improved the condition of the pitch in recent days. However, due to the extraordinary importance of the DFB Cup semi-final in Ludwigspark against FCK, we can understand the DFB’s decision not to put the turf under double stress within a few days due to a league match. This precautionary measure also gives us more time to press ahead with our work. Our focus is now fully on the semi-final and the remaining games of the season. “

We are very confident that the DFB Cup semi-final and the remaining matches of the season can take place on a proper pitch

Patrick Berberich

The way in which matches are being upgraded or downgraded against each other is almost grotesque and hopefully won’t set a precedent in the future. Where will we end up if matches are postponed in questionable pitch conditions because the club or the association decide where the match is more important?

Berberich adds: “We are in close consultation with leading turf experts, our external greenkeeper and the DFB. We are currently using all the resources available to us to improve the pitch. Our current focus is on working into the deeper layers of the pitch. This is only possible with tools that reach at least 40 centimeters deep. That’s why we’ve been using special compressed air lances since Monday, which we’ve already had good experiences with in the past, to significantly reduce the waterlogging problem. We are now also seeing an improvement in the pitch – even in the previously problematic areas.”

All the technical measures, which we will spare you the details of, are only intended to achieve one thing, as Berberich explains: “In the coming days, we will be working on improving the water drainage at all levels. The pitch will also be rolled, fertilized and mowed. We are very confident that the DFB Cup semi-final and the remaining matches of the season can take place on a proper pitch. “