Rot-Weiss Essen put in a strong performance for long stretches against VfL Osnabrück (1:1). Isaiah Young was satisfied all round, but would have liked to have won.

The fans of Rot-Weiss Essen would probably have signed off on a draw before the game against VfL Osnabrück. After all, the visitors came to Hafenstraße as the team of the moment with five away wins in a row.

After an intense 94 minutes, the two traditional clubs drew 1-1 (0-1). But perhaps the Essen team could have done even better in the end.

They played with pressure and courage in the second half and had a lot of chances, but only Lawrence Ennali (65th) scored. Ron Berlinski, Felix Bastians and Isaiah Young had good chances – and in addition Essen scored two offside goals.

That’s why even US boy Young had mixed feelings after the final whistle about how to classify the draw: “We had possession and chances in the first half. In the second half, we deserved the 1-1 draw, and three points would have been possible as well. I’m happy with the team’s performance, but I always want to win. But we are definitely on a good path. “

At half-time Young was moved to the ten-man position and Ennali replaced Torben Müsel. The switch paid off as Ennali scored the equaliser and Young initiated many attacks in the second half. “Switching to the ten was a good decision. Nothing against Torben, he did a good job. But this way we had more speed up front,” emphasised the 24-year-old.

It was the eleventh home match in a row without a defeat for the Essen team. Head coach Christoph Dabrowski’s team has been unbeaten at Hafenstraße since the 1:4 defeat against Viktoria Köln – on 09 August 2022. The record: four wins and seven draws.

Our fans make it difficult for every opponent. Every home game you have that extra ten percent. I think we’re hard to beat, nasty and we’re already working a lot. We can get points against any team.

Isaiah Young.

Young explained after the Osnabrück game why RWE are so hard to beat at home: “Our fans make it hard for every opponent. Every home game you have that extra ten percent. I think we’re hard to beat, nasty and we already work a lot. We can get points against any team. That’s the reality. I don’t care who we play. “