MSV Duisburg will lose two important players in the coming weeks. This increases the pressure to act on the transfer market.
Ideally, coach Boris Schommers would have liked to have three to four new signings this winter, but MSV Duisburg have so far struck twice on the transfer market.
And that was before two key players, Marvin Bakalorz and Sebastian Mai, were injured. Bakalorz is expected to miss up to six weeks, while Sebastian Mai’s season is over. The captain suffered a torn cruciate ligament. MSV announced the shock news on Tuesday.
This does not reduce the pressure on those responsible to act with just over a week to go before the transfer deadline. “Two important players will be out for a long time. It’s clear that we will try to sign a player to fill the gap,” said Schommers ahead of the home match against Hallescher FC on Tuesday (7pm, RS live ticker).
By “we”, Schommers means not only the sporting management around Branimir Bajic and Chris Schmoldt, but also the new managing director Michael Preetz. Following a telephone conversation after the defeat at 1860 Munich (1:4) at the weekend, the coach will meet the former Berlin player in person for the first time on Tuesday. The topic of transfers will then also be on the agenda
“We will definitely discuss this,” emphasizes Schommers. Those responsible would have to find out “what financial possibilities we have to top it up again”. Bakalorz is an important pillar in the defensive midfield, while Mai is the designated defensive leader, who has been used mainly in the center of the attack recently.
His injury could also affect the situation of two players who were recently considered candidates for departure. It is possible that Benjamin Girth and Phillip König, who have not scored many goals, will become important for the Meiderich club once again. “We will see whether we can offload players or whether the situation will change again due to injuries,” says Schommers.
One thing should be clear: In the important basement duel, the existing personnel will have to do the job. Time is likely to be too short for immediate help just in time for the game