Rot-Weiss Essen played a closed-door test against FC Twente Enschede on Wednesday. Christoph Dabrowski was completely satisfied after the 2:1 defeat.

Just three days ago, Rot-Weiss Essen celebrated a 2-0 win over SV Waldhof Mannheim at home on Hafenstrasse. It was the fifth win in a row. This result means that RWE remain third in the table going into the international break.

However, in order not to be idle during this time, the third division club played a closed-door test match against FC Twente Enschede on Wednesday. The purpose of this test was to keep up the rhythm and give as many players as possible match practice. RWE head coach Christoph Dabrowski used a total of 18 outfield players. The test therefore served its purpose.

Apart from the known absentees Thomas Eisfeld, Ekin Celebi and Fabian Rüth, only striker Leonardo Vonic was unable to take part. The 20-year-old was still struggling with neck problems after a collision with Mannheim goalkeeper Jan-Christoph Bartels. However, he is expected to return to training soon.

The game: After 90 minutes, RWE conceded a narrow 1:2 (0:1) defeat, but sold themselves dearly. After all, FC Twente are in third place in the league and even played in the Conference League qualifiers in the summer. On that occasion, the Dutch side were defeated by Fenerbahce Istanbul. The only Essen goal was scored by Moussa Doumbouya in the 65th minute

That was a good test against a top team from the Dutch first division. Enschede started high and challenged us again and again.

Christoph Dabrowski

Dabrowski was correspondingly satisfied after the final whistle. The soccer coach explained: “That was a good test against a top team from the Dutch first division. Enschede started high and challenged us again and again. After the goal we conceded, we were better in the game, but we didn’t manage to equalize despite two good chances. In the end, we lost an intense game, but we’re glad that nobody got injured.”

Dabrowski gave his players three days off training after the Twente game. The players and coach will not meet again for a joint session at Hafenstrasse until Sunday, after the annual general meeting. The next league match for both teams is scheduled for November 25: While RWE plays host to FC Ingolstadt, FC Twente Enschede welcomes league leaders PSV Eindhoven to its own stadium.