MSV Duisburg has been “self-critical” about its defeat in Hoffenheim. Things are set to improve against Aachen, but there is more bad news on the personnel front.

That’s how fast things can change in soccer. That’s how fast things can change in the 3rd division. MSV Duisburg, who got off to a flying start, celebrated six wins in a row at the beginning of the season. In the end, the 1-3 defeat at TSV 1860 Munich interrupted their streak of ten unbeaten games in a row. And although the Meiderich team has only lost two games after 15 matches, they are now slowly looking in the other direction.

The truth is that only one of the last seven games has been won – that was the last home game against Waldhof Mannheim (2-1). And in the 1-4 defeat at TSG Hoffenheim’s U23 team on the last matchday, Duisburg put in their worst performance of the season so far. Afterwards, coach Dietmar Hirsch said that his team had confused the sport with “disembodied basketball.”

Ahead of Saturday’s home game (2 p.m.) against Alemannia Aachen, Hirsch first gave an update on the personnel situation. There was good news and bad news: Joshua Bitter is fit after having to be substituted shortly before the end of the game against Hoffenheim. However, Florian Krüger is out – the striker has come down with tonsillitis.

With regard to the large number of absences, Hirsch explained: “There are things that can be explained. We’re not complaining, but you have to realize that we’re once again missing a high-quality offensive player. We’ve always been able to step up recently, and we can still do that now, but we’re losing speed up front, which we can’t make up for when the opponent gets tired. Nevertheless, we still have quality across the board, even if not everything can be replaced 100 percent.“

That’s why Duisburg remain confident, saying they have been ”very self-critical“ about the 1-4 defeat in Hoffenheim. ”Defeats are part of sport. Everything has been worked through, now we’re going full throttle towards Aachen,” emphasizes Hirsch.

Their opponents have scored more points away from home than at their Tivoli stadium (seven games, four wins, one draw, two defeats). Hirsch knows what his team is up against. “It’s noticeable that Aachen scores more points away than at home. They are a team that switches very quickly and is very good at counter-pressing. You have to be quick-thinking and hold your own.”