On Sunday (November 12), ETB Schwarz-Weiß Essen will travel to Sportfreunde Hamborn. It’s the start of a groundbreaking few weeks in the Oberliga Niederrhein.

2:6 against Schonnebeck, 0:1 against Ratingen Plus in the cup and 1:4 against KFC Uerdingen – after three defeats in the last four games in the Oberliga Niederrhein, ETB Schwarz-Weiß Essen has moved close to the danger zone. The gap to the first relegation place is now only three points.

Against this backdrop, the game on Sunday (November 12, 2:30 p.m., RS live ticker) at Sportfreunde Hamborn takes on even greater significance. It marks the start of a groundbreaking few weeks. A win could give ETB coach Damian Apfeld’s team some breathing space.

His assistant coach Ulf Ripke expects an opponent who will play very aggressively and physically: “Just like us, they have to make sure they win their home games,” he is quoted as saying by club media. “I’m very surprised that they’ve only won once at home, but they’ve also only lost twice. That shows that they are always very close games.”

The team coached by Julian Berg has also been able to hold teams from higher up the table, such as VfB Hilden, to a draw. “They also have very experienced players in their ranks who know exactly what to do in the current table situation,” continued Ripke.

“Our goal is to win in Hamborn. It’s important that we come together as a team.” Ripke appeals above all to the basic virtues. “Sunday will not be about tactical finesse, but about soccer with heart. Soccer with heart as a team, that will be the key to success.”

This would keep ETB at a distance from Hamborn, for whom it will be all about staying in the Oberliga for the second year in a row. Essen will be without Arman Corovic, Fatih Özbayrak, Prince Kimbakidila, Alex Golz and Christian Gojani. They are out for the away game due to injury