Things have not been going well for MSV Duisburg in recent weeks. Meanwhile, a homegrown player is personally experiencing his best phase of the season.
Two goals against VfB Oldenburg, one against 1860 Munich and one against SC Verl: In the last four games – he didn’t score in Dresden – Julian Hettwer scored four times for MSV Duisburg.
Within a few weeks, the 19-year-old, who has made 16 appearances this season, has scored all his goals for the season. And: Hettwer even had the chance to score more goals in the games listed above, but he lacked the determination to finish – we remember top chances against Dresden or Verl.
Of course, his coach Torsten Ziegner is also pleased with the development of the former FC Schalke 04, VfL Bochum and MSV Duisburg youth player.
However, Ziegner also puts the brakes on euphoria and says of the attacking midfielder: “Julian Hettwer has to become calmer in front of goal. He works meticulously on his finishing in and out of training. He is very diligent to be more efficient. Nevertheless, I also know that this will only work if he also scores in practice, i.e. in the game. Because it’s hard to train cold-bloodedness. “
Ziegner continued: “You have to be cool-headed and efficient when it counts. But I’m not worried about that. The boy is 19 years old and will improve in that element.”
The Bochum native is also currently on the verge of breaking his previous best mark of five scorer points from last season. Hettwer still needs one goal or one assist to set a new personal record. He will have the opportunity to do so on Friday (24 March, 7 p.m.) when MSV Duisburg plays host to Hallescher FC.
Not so long ago, things were not looking good at all for Halleschen FC. It was only about six weeks ago that the third-division club was at the bottom of the table, lurching towards the regional league.
But then Sreto Ristic took over as coach – and led HFC out of the relegation zone. The new coach is still undefeated (two wins, four draws), and his team drew 1-1 with leaders SV Elversberg last matchday.
The team from Halle is now 15th in the table. When MSV Duisburg come to Leuna-Chemie-Stadion on Friday evening for the opening of the 29th matchday, they will be looking to continue their streak (7pm, RS-Liveticker).
In recent years, MSV has been a welcome guest in Saxony-Anhalt. It has been more than eight years since the Zebras’ last win in Halle, when goals from Zlatko Janjic and Kinsgley Onuegbu gave them a 2-1 victory.
Two of the following four games were won by Halle, two duels ended in a draw. At the 1:0 in the 2019/20 season, Torsten Ziegner, the current MSV coach, was on the Halle sidelines. He had coached the club from 2018 until the beginning of 2020.
Upon his return, HFC will have to do without two professionals. This concerns Erich Berko, who has been out for months due to a torn syndesmosis ligament, and captain Jonas Nietfeld. The leading player is suffering from a torn ankle ligament. Jannes Vollert will return to the team after serving his yellow card suspension.