MSV Duisburg travels to 1. FC Bocholt on Wednesday evening (October 30, 7:30 p.m.). With a win, the Zebras can take the lead in the Regionalliga West.

First things first: With the exception of Jihad Boutakhrit, Leon Müller, and Jannik Zahmel, Dietmar Hirsch will have all MSV Duisburg professionals at his disposal for the match against 1. FC Bocholt on Wednesday, October 30, at 7:30 p.m. Only Kilian Pagliuca’s participation is still in doubt.

With a win at his former club, the MSV coach wants to take his team back to the top of the Regionalliga West. Hirsch knows that this will be anything but easy.

At the press conference before heading to Bocholt’s Hünting stadium, which will be sold out with around 3,500 spectators, he said: “I’m looking forward to this return. I had a good time in Bocholt. Before and after the game, I’m sure I’ll shake a few hands and meet some old friends. But on the pitch, it’s Bocholt against Duisburg, and we want to win as MSV. The stadium will be packed for the first time this season. There’s always a special atmosphere at the Hünting.”

Hirsch remembers last season when he was still Bocholt coach. “That was the first time the Hünting was sold out against Alemannia Aachen, and the boys played their best game right away. It’s a small stadium with a good atmosphere that pushes the Bocholt fans. They’ll play much more aggressively than usual. Some players might run five meters faster in front of this crowd. But we’re prepared for that. It’ll be a battle of attrition. We want to win the game and celebrate top spot in the table on Wednesday evening,” emphasizes Hirsch.

The majority of coaches want to see a 1-0 victory. The spectators come to the stadium to experience a 4-3 spectacle at best. We are working on our routines to become even bolder and better in attack. Because we know, of course, that the table doesn’t lie.

Dietmar Hirsch

Although MSV Duisburg has lost only one of twelve games this season, there is repeated criticism from the Zebra camp about the style of play of Hirsch’s team, which once promised heavy metal soccer in Duisburg.

“I’m very happy with the points we’ve picked up. That’s the most important thing. At the end of the day, it’s always about the points. We can finish first if we win on Wednesday. That’s also very positive. But, of course, most coaches want to see a 1-0 win. The fans come to the stadium to see a 4-3 spectacle at best. We’re working on our processes to become even more courageous and better in attack. Because we know, of course, that the table doesn’t lie – neither in terms of points nor goals conceded, nor goals scored. We still have room for improvement there,” said Hirsch.