MSV Duisburg and Rot-Weiss Essen shared the points in a heated derby.
In front of 27,719 spectators in Duisburg, MSV and RWE drew 1-1 (1-1) at the end of the 12th matchday of the 3rd league on Sunday evening. For the Meiderichers, the fourth game without a win in a row meant that they had to give up first place to Energie Cottbus. RWE is three points behind in fifth place.
Both goals came within the first half hour. Florian Krüger gave MSV the lead (23rd), Ramien Safi equalized shortly afterwards (25th).
Krüger for MSV, Braune error before equalization
After the first defeat of the season last matchday against 1860 Munich, MSV coach Dietmar Hirsch made three changes to his starting eleven. Steffen Meuer, Conor Noß and Krüger started for Jesse Tugbenyo, Christian Viet and Thilo Töpken. At RWE, Uwe Koschinat changed his first eleven in two positions: Franci Bouebari and Klaus Gjasula started instead of Lucas Brumme and Tom Moustier.
After a slow start, the game quickly picked up speed. MSV had its first good chance in the 10th minute: Krüger aimed a little too high with a header. On the other hand, a direct free kick from Ahmet Arslan landed in the arms of MSV keeper Maximilian Braune (12th). Things continued to go back and forth until MSV took the lead in the 23rd minute. A flat cross from Joshua Bitter maneuvered Krüger into the goal at the first post from close range to make it 1-0 for MSV.
The lead didn’t last long because Duisburg’s Braune played a bad pass in their own penalty area, which Safi used to score from a tight angle to make it 1-1 (25′). After the equalizer, RWE controlled the action and repeatedly appeared in the Duisburg penalty area. Torben Müsel almost gave Essen the lead from 25 meters when his powerful shot hit the crossbar (30′). Neither defense allowed any further chances to score until the break.
Duisburg’s final spurt is not rewarded
The second half began with more heated duels. The home team had their first goal with a header from Noß (50′). RWE, in turn, benefited from another lapse in MSV’s defense. Tobias Fleckstein’s unnecessary loss of the ball in his own penalty area almost led to an Essen goal by Müsel (55th). It remained competitive with many small and large fouls. After a good hour, seven players had already seen the yellow card.
After a long phase without any highlights, Duisburg’s Jan-Simon Symalla had a strong individual effort from just outside the penalty area, which Jakob Golz parried well (67′). It was the starting signal for a Duisburg phase of urgency. Bitter had a great chance in the 73rd minute after one of several corners that landed on the post of the RWE box.
Not much came from Essen in this phase apart from a harmless free kick from Kaito Mizuta (77th). After another Duisburg corner, Rasim Bulić headed just over the goal (78th). Shortly afterwards it was Bitter again who narrowly missed the goal with a shot from outside the penalty area (83′). Substitute Max Dittgen was denied by Golz in added time (90+3).
The MSV fans behind the Essen goal ensured the glorious finale, throwing numerous objects onto the field and the RWE players.
MSV in Osnabrück, RWE welcomes Schweinfurt
Next Saturday, Duisburg will have to play away at VfL Osnabrück (2 p.m.), while Essen will play in the 3rd league continues on Sunday (4:30 p.m.) with a home game against 1. FC Schweinfurt.
