Third division club Rot-Weiss Essen will face SSV Ulm 1846 on Saturday. It is quite possible that Nils Kaiser will be back in action.

In 2024, Nils Kaiser has developed into a real alternative at Rot-Weiss Essen. The 22-year-old has recently made a good impression as a joker and is now one of head coach Christoph Dabrowski’s first substitutes.

Kaiser’s development is certainly something to be proud of: in the summer of 2023, he was still one of the candidates for sale. At the time, he was informed that he would not play a role in the sporting plans for the 2023/24 season. However, the midfielder then fought for a place in the squad with strong performances in pre-season and did not let himself be discouraged by a torn medial collateral ligament in his knee and a two-month injury break.

Although he “only” played 72 minutes of football in the entire first half of the season, he played 67 minutes in the last three games alone – with success.

Kaiser scored the important equalizer in the final minutes of the last-minute home win against SC Freiburg II (4-3) and set up Marvin Obuz’s 3-0 goal in the most recent away win in Regensburg (3-1). The 22-year-old has thus collected two points in the last three games – his first two in professional football.

At the press conference before the top match between Rot-Weiss Essen and SSV Ulm 1846 (February 17, 2 p.m.), Forecasting asked Dabrowski about Nils Kaiser. The coach was pleased with the midfielder’s development.

He is a boy who gives our team energy and momentum. Nils is a young player who still has room for development and improvement, but he has now become an important part of our squad.

Christoph Dabrowski on Nils Kaiser.

“I’ve been watching Nils’ development since the pre-season, where he made a very refreshing and positive impression. Accordingly, he has also taken the opportunity to be part of our squad. During the first half of the season, after his eight-week break due to his knee injury, he quickly caught up again. He has put himself in a position to get game time through good training performances. He is a guy who gives our team energy and momentum. Nils is a young player who will continue to develop and improve, but he is now an important part of our squad.”