MSV Duisburg got completely run over 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 took over as 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 leaders—who could still lose their top spot this matchday—were 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 got the sport all mixed up. We played a bit of basketball, and that’s not physical. 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 he means the second 45 minutes: “That was the first poor performance of the season. I stand by my point: 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 such a beating in the first half.”
It was only their second loss of the season—MSV Duisburg’s first came against 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.