MSV Duisburg are guests in Wuppertal. There, it is against Borussia Dortmund II. The Meiderich side can once again rely on their captain, among others.

The twelfth matchday in the 3rd division is a duel between neighbours. MSV Duisburg is the guest of Borussia Dortmund II. It is the duel between 19th and twelfth in the table. Even before kick-off, it is clear that both teams desperately need a successful result.

MSV have only managed to pick up three points from their last five league games (1:0 against Halleschen FC). If they lose again today, the gap to the relegation zone will shrink to just three points. A win, on the other hand, would put them in mid-table.

Three recently injured players in the starting eleven

For that to happen, however, things will have to change after the 0:3 loss to SV Elversberg. “Elversberg was dealt with objectively. We were too open there, offered too many spaces. That has to improve against BVB, because BVB want to play football, there are a lot of talents there who are not allowed much space,” explained Torsten Ziegner.

Not included are Benjamin Girth (shoulder corner strain), Leroy Kwadwo (hip injury), Alaa Bakir (meniscus tear), Vincent Gembalies (knee problems) and Joshua Bitter (knee contusion). Meanwhile, Moritz Stoppelkamp, Casper Jander and Rolf Feltscher return and all three are immediately in the starting eleven. Niklas Kölle, Sebastian Mai and Marvin Senger form the back four with Feltscher. Jonas Michelbrink, Marvin Bakalorz and Jander play in the centre with Marvin Ajani and captain Stoppelkamp on the outside. The only top player is again Aziz Bouhaddouz.

BVB II has been stuck in a relegation spot since the sixth matchday. Recently, however, the form curve has shown an upward trend. After a 2-1 win over FSV Zwickau, they drew against 1860 München (1-1) and Halleschen FC (0-0). With a win over MSV, a jump to 15th place is possible.

Three changes at BVB II

But Dortmund are also missing important personnel. Antonios Papadopoulos is with the professionals, Michael Eberwein is out injured again. Compared to the 0:0 in Halle, there are three changes: Soumaila Coulibaly, Moritz Broschinski and Abdoulaye Camara start for Bjarne Pudel, Ole Pohlmann and Kolbeinn Finnson.

The goalkeeper will once again be the Bundesliga-experienced Marcel Lotka. Captain Franz Pfanne has become fit in time and will lead the team onto the pitch. Up front, Justin Njimah will once again do the job alongside Broschinski.

Coach Christian Preußer expects a real battle in Wuppertal, where BVB II play their home games from now on. “It’s going to be a real battle and we have to get involved in that. Offensively, we have to be bolder again and create more chances than in Halle. “