Viktoria Köln welcome Rot-Weiss Essen on Wednesday evening (23 August, 7 pm). Cologne coach Olaf Janßen thinks highly of the Essen side.
Last season, Viktoria Köln won both games against Rot-Weiss Essen. On Wednesday, it’s back to the NRW duel.
Viktoria started the season with two wins from two games – 2:1 against Verl, 2:1 in Saarbrücken – and also knocked Werder Bremen out of the DFB Cup.
Rot-Weiss Essen, meanwhile, were knocked out by Hamburger SV and have one point on their account after the matches against Halle (1:2) and Aue (1:1). RWE are aiming for their first win in Cologne.
Olaf Janßen is also assuming that. The Viktoria coach said before the game: “They’re really going to raise the alarm here. I used to coach in Essen and of course I know that the fans always create a great atmosphere and push their team. The game will be tough. I’ve analysed Essen and have to say that Christoph Dabrowski and his team have done a good job in preparation. There’s been a lot of improvement in possession and positioning compared to last season. “
They will want to get their first win here. We want to get our third three in a row.
Olaf Janßen
And with Marcus Steegmann, Essen’s squad planner, Rot-Weiss now also have a former Viktorian in their ranks since this season. Janßen: “(laughs) He won’t have any influence in the game. But, sure: He already knows how we work. But that will not be decisive on this evening.”
That the English week at the beginning of the season could be a problem for the Viktoria, the 56-year-old football coach does not believe at all. “Our condition is good. The boys have eaten well, taken plenty of fluids and done the right stabilisation exercises, victories also make tiredness easier. We will go full throttle again on Wednesday night.”
The fact that Rot-Weiss Essen had one day less to regenerate than Viktoria will not play a role, according to Janßen. Janßen: “I don’t think that plays a big role at the beginning of the season. Essen will also be regenerated by Wednesday. It will be about content like commitment and willingness to run. They will want to get their first win here. We want to get our third win in a row. “
