MSV Duisburg got completely crushed by TSG Hoffenheim’s U23 team. Dietmar Hirsch didn’t mince words after the 1-4 loss.

What on earth was that? For the past 18 months—ever since Dietmar Hirsch became coach of the Zebras—MSV Duisburg has stood for fight, heart, and passion. On Friday, the Meiderich-based team failed to show any of that for the first time in 45 minutes.

In the 1–4 loss to TSG Hoffenheim’s reserve team, the 3. Liga leader—which could still lose its top spot this matchday—was thoroughly outclassed. The Duisburg players can count themselves lucky that they went into halftime trailing only 0–4.

Hirsch saw it similarly after the game. The 53-year-old, who suffered his worst defeat as an MSV coach, didn’t mince words.

He ranted to “Magenta Sport”: “That was nothing! We played the wrong sport. We played a bit of basketball, and that’s a non-physical sport. Our tackle rate was abysmal. The data confirms that, too. Everything went wrong.”

The fans supported us wonderfully again, and for the first time in 18 months, they rightfully booed us. We need to be honest now. Against Alemannia Aachen, we have to give something back to the fans. But I’m convinced the team will do just that

Dietmar Hirsch

But Hirsch didn’t want to paint everything in a negative light—and by that I mean the second 45 minutes: “That was the first poor performance of the season. I stand by what I said: If your tackle success rate is that abysmal, you can’t win against a U23 team like that. We at least showed a reaction in the second half. We were more physical, scored a goal, and didn’t concede as many chances. That’s not something you can take for granted when you get beaten so badly in the first half.”

It was only their second loss of the season—MSV Duisburg suffered their first at the hands of TSV 1860 Munich. Next weekend—Saturday, November 29, at 2 p.m.—the Zebras will be looking to make amends.

“We’ll have a packed house next week against Aachen, and that’s when we want to show our true colors. The fans supported us great again, and for the first time in 18 months, they rightfully booed us. We need to be honest with ourselves now. Against Alemannia Aachen, we have to give something back to the fans. But I’m convinced the team will do just that,” said Hirsch.