MSV Duisburg also failed to record their first win of the new third division season against SSV Ulm. The match ended 1-1 (1:1).

MSV Duisburg’s staggering start continues. The Zebras could not get beyond a 1-1 draw against SSV Ulm on Friday evening. Sebastian Mai’s opening goal was not enough in the end.

The greenkeepers at the Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena had their work cut out for them. Due to the heavy rainfall, the already battered turf suffered even more. However, the match was played normally, even though the number of visitors was somewhat higher than usual due to the Canoe World Championships at the regatta course. The 10,000 spectators, among them 300 guests and some fans from Oberhausen, who have a friendship with the Ulm team, saw three changes in Duisburg’s starting eleven.

Jonas Michelbrink (ill) was missing from the line-up, as was Joshua Bitter. The right-back was not yet cured enough for the bench and was again replaced by Chinedu Ekene. Benjamin Girth started for Pascal Köpke as the lone striker, vice-captain Marvin Bakalorz moved back to the double six for Niclas Stierlin from the start. Alaa Bakir replaced the newcomer Robin Müller, who had been pale on Tuesday, in the attacking front three.

It was the quick Bakir who played a lot in the promising early phase of the MSV game. However, the best chance was missed by Girth, whose volley after a Kolja Pusch corner hit the underside of the crossbar (13th). A short time later, SSV defender Thomas Geyer again hit the aluminium, this time deflecting Chinedu Ekene’s cross onto the crossbar (19).

The Zebras kept the pressure on and rewarded themselves. Sebastian Mai headed a Pusch corner extended by Marvin Senger into the net at the second post for the lead (24th). The goal, however, was preceded by a suspected foul by Alexander Esswein

But Ulm quickly had the right answer. Senger lost the decisive header duel against Philipp Maier on his own byline after a long throw-in by former Uerdinger Dennis Chessa. Bastian Allgeier was completely blank at the back and headed the equaliser. It was almost a copy of the first goal (34.).

The Zebras were lucky that they did not score twice. Chessa’s lob also hit the crossbar (35th). MSV was happy to go into the dressing room with a 1-1 draw. After the restart, only the visitors had chances, as they became more and more comfortable in the Duisburg half. Senger saved in the highest emergency against Felix Higl (56.).

MSV had a hard time going forward and apart from a too central shot by Casper Jander and Köpke from an acute angle shortly before the end of the game, they were not in any danger. SSV was much closer to victory in the end. The score remained 1-1.

There was no time to take a deep breath. After the first round match in the Niederrheinpokal against FSV Vohwinkel in Homberg on Wednesday, they will travel to SSV Jahn Regensburg, relegated from the second division, on the following Sunday.