Third division side MSV Duisburg are hoping to get their new year off to a flying start at 1860 Munich. Also on the team: Daniel Ginczek and Ahmet Engin.

When MSV Duisburg visits 1860 Munich on Saturday afternoon (January 20, 4:30 p.m.), the two winter signings will also be there.

With Daniel Ginczek (Fortuna Düsseldorf) and Ahmet Engin (Volos NPS/Greece), the relegation candidate signed two experienced offensive players. Both players are expected to significantly improve the quality of MSV’s attack.

Ginczek has 120 Bundesliga appearances (29 goals) and 121 appearances in the 2nd Bundesliga (35 goals) under his belt. He is an experienced, robust center forward with a good eye for goal. However, the 32-year-old is also prone to injury and has hardly gained any playing practice recently.

Engin also had little playing practice. The Moers-born player only made eight appearances in the Greek Super League during the first half of the season. The winger has played for Duisburg in the 2nd and 3rd divisions in the past. The 27-year-old, who wore the MSV shirt from 2011 to 2021, played a total of 149 competitive games for the Zebras.

Both want to play and are eager to perform. Of course, we also have to take into account that they didn’t get as much playing time last year. But they can definitely help us with their quality.

Boris Schommers.

So it is quite possible that Engin will celebrate his 150th competitive match as a player for MSV Duisburg at 1860 Munich. Both newcomers are candidates for the starting eleven on Saturday, even though head coach Boris Schommers did not want to make a final decision:

“Basically, they are fit. Both want to play and are eager to do so. Of course, we also have to take into account that they didn’t get much playing time last year. But they can definitely help us with their quality.”

The game in Munich is the starting signal for the English week. After that, MSV will face Hallescher FC in a relegation battle (January 23, 7 p.m.), before a game at SSV Ulm 1846 four days later (January 27, 2 p.m.).

With the English week in mind, Schommers explained: “We have three extremely important games, especially the first two against two direct competitors, within 72 hours. We’ll have to pay close attention to who plays and when. We want to put the team on the pitch that gives us the greatest chance of getting points. We’ll get through it just fine. It’s great that we have enough healthy players who have been through a large part of the preparation.”