MSV Duisburg must switch into derby mode. On matchday 32, the Zebras play host to Rot-Weiss Essen – a key game for staying in the league.
A derby could not be more important at the moment. On Sunday afternoon (April 7/16:30), MSV Duisburg will travel to Hafenstraße for the Ruhrpott derby. Against arch-rivals Rot-Weiss Essen, of all teams, the situation in the battle to stay in the league could darken completely.
The 2:0 win against 1. FC Saarbrücken three weeks ago was followed by one of the most important games of the final spurt. On the Alm, MSV caused a shake of the head against Arminia Bielefeld and lost 2-0.
As a result, the situation has worsened. They are currently five points behind Waldhof Mannheim, who would be safe in 16th place. RWE, on the other hand, have very little to do with the bottom third of the table. Essen are playing a strong season and are in sixth place. With an eight-point gap to third place, there is still a mathematical chance of promotion, but realistically Rot-Weiss will not be able to have a say at the top.
Coach Boris Schommers expects Essen to be strong: “They have more than stabilized in the second half of the season and have adapted their style of play once again. RWE are now a very strong team with a lot of possession, and with Marvin Obuz they have a real difference-maker in their ranks. That’s why we’re up against a team again, and you have to acknowledge that, that is in really good form and has improved again in the second half of the season. “
A “tough game regardless of the position in the table”, but one that is not new territory for MSV in the current situation: “There are only tough games for us,” said Schommers.
Despite all the tension, the 45-year-old is looking forward to the derby on Sunday: “It’s a great game in front of a sell-out crowd. In every derby, the aim, the desire and the will must be to give your all so that you can achieve a good result for yourself, your club and the fans. That’s exactly our plan. We are looking forward to this game. It’s a great opportunity for us to bounce back, especially after last week’s game.”
The fact that Rot-Weiss Essen are in a really good mood does not count for MSV. “We have to find the way and, above all, the attitude and the will to go to Essen and win this derby,” explained the Duisburg coach.