Fortuna Düsseldorf’s relegation-threatened U23s managed to earn a point at Rot-Weiß Oberhausen. A professional loan also played a part in this.
Fortuna Düsseldorf’s relegation-threatened U23s took home a point after a battling performance at Rot-Weiß Oberhausen. Kwadwo Kyeremeh Baah, who actually plays in the professional team of the club from the state capital, was a great help.
“For us, it was definitely a point gained, and a very important one at that, which can be worth its weight in gold at the end of the season. We haven’t been able to collect so many points this season, so we’re happy to take this one with us,” said a delighted Fortuna coach Nicolas Michaty after the game.
The draw at the Niederrhein stadium enabled his team to move past the U23 of 1. FC Köln and is now three points ahead of a direct relegation place in the Regionalliga West.
For the coach, the result was fine in the end. “We didn’t have the clear-cut opportunities, with the exception perhaps of a shot by Kwadwo Baah. Towards the end of the first half, we then had to survive a wave of standard situations from Oberhausen, where we were lucky to go into the break with a 0-0 score. In the second half it was a defensive battle from us, we could hardly provide any relief. We were missing many players, but the line-up that was on the pitch today did well and gave everything in terms of running and fighting. That’s why the point is not undeserved, even if it is certainly fortunate,” Michaty summed up.
I can’t judge that. We’ll have to wait and see what the situation is like in the pros and then see.
Nicolas Michaty on Kwadwo Kyeremeh Baah
When Fortuna were in the forward movement, Baah in particular, who has already been mentioned, created dangerous situations. With his dribbling and speed, he was able to penetrate dangerously into the RWO penalty area several times and thus relieve the pressure on his own back line for a short time.
It is not surprising that the Oberhausen defenders had a hard time with the quick left winger. The 20-year-old is actually playing for the Düsseldorf professionals and has already played seven Second Division games this season.
The coach was unable to say after the final whistle whether Michaty’s team will be able to count on support from the professional squad even more often. “I can’t judge that. We have to wait and see what the situation is like with the professionals and then see,” he reported.
In the fight against relegation, Michaty’s team will go to another U23 next week. They will face Schalke 04’s youngsters at the Parkstadion in Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday (2pm). With or without professional support, that remains to be seen.
