Cottbus coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz will have to do without key players in the top match between Energie Cottbus and MSV Duisburg.

Energie Cottbus welcomes MSV Duisburg on Saturday (December 6, 2 p.m.) for the top match of the 3rd league and wants to challenge Meiderich for the top spot in the table. Coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz has to fill some gaps, especially in defense.

In Cottbus’ 3-2 win over Viktoria Cologne on the last matchday, King Manu had to be substituted at half-time due to injury. In addition, Nyamekye Awortwie-Grant received his fifth yellow card and is therefore suspended for the next game. This means that Wollitz will have to do without two regular center backs against Duisburg.

At the pre-match press conference, Wollitz explained that Manu’s ankle injury was not as serious as initially feared, but that the player on loan from Fortuna Düsseldorf would still have to take a break for several weeks. However, the coach emphasized that this was “a huge opportunity to make a name for themselves” for the players who are now stepping up.

The decision on who will fill the gaps has not yet been finalized. For Wollitz, however, the individual positions will not be decisive on Saturday, as the 60-year-old coach has his eye on the big picture.

We have a lot coming our way, but that’s exactly where I see our opportunity

Claus-Dieter Wollitz

“We have to make sure we find the best mix, also for the players who play in front of them,” explained Wollitz. “If, for example, we play with Dominik Pelivan, Alex Borgmann, and Tolcay Cigerci, which is absolutely justified, we are playing with space players and not man-oriented players. In this regard, it is important who can play behind them if we say that we want to play one-on-one, even though we are actually coming through the space.”

It therefore remains to be seen which starting eleven and which formation the coach will use to regain the top spot in the table. Janis Juckel and Elias Bethke will also be missing. Ted Tattermusch, Can Moustfa, and Jonas Hofmann are still in rehabilitation training. Henry Rorig and Timmy Thiele are also doubtful.

Despite the personnel concerns, Wollitz is optimistic about the top-of-the-table clash and wants to win the game for the hosts through superior play. “We’ve got a lot to contend with, but that’s exactly where I see our chance. We want to find our position and structure on the pitch and create a good mix of build-up play and pressing,” emphasized the coach.