For the professionals of MSV Duisburg, things are going really badly this season. The Zebras are hardly scoring any goals and are second last in the third division. Meanwhile, a real goal scorer is playing in the U19s.

13 games and only eight goals: that’s MSV Duisburg’s record. In the 3rd division, only bottom club SC Freiburg II, who also scored eight goals of their own, are as harmless as the Zebras. Otherwise, all 18 of Duisburg and Freiburg’s rivals have scored at least 15 goals – in other words, seven more than the penultimate and last-placed team in the 3rd division.

With such an offensive plight, the question can certainly be asked as to why MSV, in the person of Boris Schommers, does not simply throw in an attacking jewel from the U19s?

After all, Kaan Inanoglu plays in the A-youth team, which is managed by Engin Vural. The US-American, whose parents once emigrated to the United States, only came to Duisburg in September 2023. His tally: six appearances, five goals, one assist! Last matchday, the 1.87-metre attacker single-handedly shot down Borussia Dortmund with three goals.

Inanoglu certainly wouldn’t be performing any worse than Benjamin Girth and co. in the 3rd division at the moment

“I’m staying out of it completely and am just happy that Kaan is playing so well in the U19s. He helps the team and also rewards himself for his running efforts,” explains Sercan Güvenisik.

Yes, “Güve”! Because Inanoglu is the nephew of former MSV professional Güvenisik. He was under contract at Westender Straße from 1999 to 2003 and scored 13 goals in 87 appearances for the Zebras. And now, with Inanoglu, another striker from the Güvenisik family is donning the Zebras jersey

Güvenisik explains to Forecasting how this came about. “Kaan spent a year at the German soccer boarding school in Bad Aibling from summer 2022 to 2023. He learned German within a year. When he turned 18, I got in touch with Uwe Schubert. The MSV NLZ manager and Engin Vural wanted to take a look at the boy and were immediately impressed. Kaan was able to convince the MSV managers.”

For now, the US boy is in Duisburg for a year. Nobody knows what will happen after that. Güvenisik, who is considered Inanoglu’s mentor and supporter, says: “He has already been accepted by Princeton College, a top address. Kaan wants to study psychology or business administration. But perhaps he can also play his way into the spotlight here as a footballer.”

Who knows: Perhaps the two-footed and goal-scoring Güvenisik-Neffe will make the MSV fans happy and recommend himself for a professional contract in Duisburg with more goals. But for that he needs a chance from professional coach Boris Schommers