Rot-Weiss Essen offered a strong reaction in a 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund II. Coach Christoph Dabrowski expressed his pride.

0:4 away against Unterhaching, 0:5 at home against SC Verl, captain Felix Bastians released: On and off the pitch, things have been chaotic at Rot-Weiss Essen in recent days.

Quite a few had certainly feared that RWE would sink further into the downward spiral on Friday evening at Borussia Dortmund II. They were taught better. Christoph Dabrowski’s team showed a strong reaction, deservedly beating BVB’s second team 2-1.

“You can be proud of the team,” Dabrowski told Magenta Sport after the game, adding, “What a reaction and performance they showed here.”

What he meant by that? “The game from us was very disciplined, very two-fought and also good in terms of play. I think we are the deserved winner.” And that, of course, was by no means a given. So much has self-confidence suffered in recent weeks, so great was the potential for distraction after the captain was released.

“After the week I have to say – chapeau to the team, how they reacted here. We’re overjoyed, of course.” The relief was evident in the 45-year-old’s face. “It’s taken a lot of energy in the last few days. You could see that this is a team.”

This was shown by the fact that RWE also easily put away a setback during the game. BVB had equalized in the 57th minute via penalty kick. The answer followed one turn of the clock later.

Lucas Brumme set off on an advance down the left and crossed. At the same time, Torben Müsel had moved decisively into the penalty area before he headed the cross into the goal for a renewed lead. “That’s fantastic,” Dabrowski said. “How you then show the reaction again. Incredibly well played out, with that conviction.”

And, that the RWE is a team was also shown by the fact that Bastians’ two substitutes were on hand when needed.

Mustafa Kourouma, who forced the 1-0 and put in a solid performance at the back, and Vinko Sapina, who took the captain’s armband. “I saw him as I’ve perceived him for eleven games,” Dabrowski said of the new captain. “Very present, very sure of the ball, organizer in front of the chain and a huge fighter in defense.”

Just the right thing, in chaotic times.