MSV Duisburg: Matchwinner Bookjans explains a striking pattern

Lots of possession, few chances to score. In their 3-1 win over SC Wiedenbrück on Saturday, MSV Duisburg lacked the drive to score in the first half, just as they did in the top match at Fortuna Köln, despite the double-header of Malek Fakhro and Gerrit Wegkamp. It was not without reason that Dietmar Hirsch’s three-man and five-man chain only remained in place until the first trip to the dressing room.

As has been the case so often this season, it was the substitutes who got the second-placed team back on track. Jakob Bookjans was also one of the successful substitutes. The double goalscorer on Saturday had to sit on the bench for the first time under Dietmar Hirsch. The 24-year-old’s ability was immediately apparent from the 57th minute.

“We knew that the opponent, who used a lot of running, would be difficult to beat.” “After we conceded the goal to make it 1-1, we had a short passive phase,” said Bookjans. The change to the 4-3-3 formation increased control. The tight defense did not allow the opponent many chances. The fresh wind from outside did the Zebras a disservice.

Bookjans also admitted that things weren’t going so well for the players after three games in a row without a win. “That was due to the situation, because we hadn’t acted as we had planned beforehand.” That’s something that’s in our heads. But we played much more dominant in the second half. That also shows that we’re mentally strong enough to deal with it.”

The summer newcomer from Eintracht Frankfurt did not want to make too much of his omission from the starting eleven. “That is a coach’s decision. I don’t concern myself with that. What is important is that we showed a reaction.” The fact that MSV can often only convince in one half is particularly noticeable this season. The energy on the home straight is a big advantage compared to the competition, says Bookjans.

“It’s not that we’re not willing to play football and we don’t really want to until late in the game.” But we’re just super fit and are probably one of the strongest teams in the league in terms of fitness. You can see that again and again from the back when you do a few meters more than the opponent.”

Next weekend, Jakob Bookjans should be back on the pitch from the start for FC Schalke 04’s U23 team. The MSV playmaker’s qualities are simply too great for that.