SVW with weakest start in 22 years – liga3-online.de

And again no victory. SV Waldhof Mannheim did not win the derby against 1. FC Saarbrücken on Saturday either, instead the Buwe suffered their third defeat of the season. However, only one point from four games means not only last place in the table, but also the worst start to the season in 22 years. Coach Marco Antwerpen will take over responsibility.

“A classic false start”

No, with this record, it can no longer be denied: “This is a classic false start, everyone knows that,” Antwerpen said bluntly on the microphone of “MagentaSport” after the derby defeat. After all, the Buwe are in last place in the table with just one point from four games. It is the worst start to the season since 2002, when the Mannheim team lost all of their first four games – but back then they were still in the 2nd Bundesliga.

Crucial point: For the second time this season, the back line did not look good when the goal was conceded, after keeper Hanin had only blocked the ball in the middle following a cross (41′). “Basically, you have to stick to the things that we discuss beforehand,” Antwerpen was “absolutely not satisfied” with his team’s performance and was “extremely disappointed”.

The Buwe did have several good opportunities to at least equalize during the game – including Kobylanski hitting the post after 71 minutes – but overall the SVW was too weak – and was even lucky that Saarbrücken missed a penalty. “We showed too much initiative to score,” complained the 52-year-old – and also demanded a little more self-motivation from the players: “In a derby we have to bring more onto the pitch. Everyone has to ask themselves whether that is the maximum.”

“Take responsibility”

All in all, it was a “bitter afternoon” that even Henning Matriciani, who was only signed on Monday, could not change. “We had big plans, but we didn’t manage it,” said the 24-year-old, who was in the starting eleven straight away. The goal he conceded when he jumped under Vasiliadis’ header was one he “might have been able to defend better,” Matriciani admitted self-critically. A lot has to happen in the upcoming international break. How can we turn things around after that? The central defender has some advice: “We have to stop making mistakes, be clearer in front of goal, play better at the back and be more determined.”

These are all aspects that Antwerp and his team will have to work on over the next two weeks. “I take on more responsibility than any player, but I’m not going to back down,” said the 52-year-old clearly. Recently, he had the feeling “that we are on the right path.” The reality, however, is different. Antwerp also had to admit: “It’s not working as it should. We can’t be satisfied with one point from four games.”

Does Waldhof need to step up its game on the transfer market? Mannheim’s coach had a clear opinion on this: “Standing up and demanding new players can’t be the right way either.” At the crisis summit against FC Hansa Rostock, who are also still winless, in two weeks’ time, the current squad will probably have to do the job. Before that, on Friday, there is the state cup match against VfR Gommersdorf from the state league. “We have to find solutions and we are capable of presenting them,” said Antwerpen. The Buwe have to worry about Niklas Hoffmann, who had to leave the field after just 26 minutes with problems with the sole of his foot.

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