Third division relegated MSV Duisburg have won their opening match in the Regionalliga West against FC Gütersloh.
MSV Duisburg kicked off the new Regionalliga season with a 1:0 (0:0) away win at FC Gütersloh.
Despite playing away at their own stadium – 6,000 of the 8,400 spectators came from Duisburg – the East Westphalians started boldly and confidently. Some even cheered in the 17th minute, but Ilias Illigs’ drop-kick from the edge of the penalty area landed on the outside of the net.
The Zebras, who were still without Joshua Bitter, Jonas Michelbrink and Jannik Zahmel, arrived a little late. Jakob Bookjan’s deflected shot from 16 meters went just wide of the right post (21st).
The attempt was a kind of can opener, as the Meiderich side soon took control and the attacking actions increased: captain Alexander Hahn headed narrowly wide after a corner (25′), Gerrit Wegkamp failed to beat Jarno Peters (27′) and others. However, Steffen Meuer had the best opportunity after preparatory work by Patrick Sussek, but Lars Beuckmann threw himself into his shot from eleven meters and thus prevented the 0:1 (39.).
FC Gütersloh came out of the break in better shape and promptly had a great chance through Phil Beckhoff. However, his deflected shot was saved by a brilliant save from Maximilian Braune. The MSV keeper was on hand again shortly afterwards after a long ball (54′).
The home side’s pressure phase remained unused. And that had consequences, as the visitors took the lead virtually on the counterattack. Meuer took heart from just under 20 yards out and curled a left-footed shot into the left corner to make it 1:0 (55′).
Img – FC Gütersloh – MSV Duisburg 0:1 July 26, 2024
The goal calmed the game down a little. Until the 70th minute, when the eye-catching Bookjans hit the crossbar from the six-yard box, shortly afterwards the 23-year-old put the ball in the net, but was offside (72′). Five minutes later, Beuckmann saved again from Sussek.
The Zebras missed the preliminary decision, Jan Simon Symalla got stuck in a one-on-one with Peters. But there would be no revenge. It remained a 1:0 working victory for MSV.