Duisburg fact file
Thursday, 18. October 2018, 11:51 Uhr
The Boys in Brown return to second division action on Monday evening with a trip to MSV Duisburg (kick-off: 2030 CET). As usual, we've taken a closer look at our forthcoming opponents.
Perfect start
After seeing the side take just two points from their first eight games, MSV officials responded by sacking head coach Ilja Gruev on 1 October. A successor was announced the very same day in Torsten Lieberknecht. The former Eintracht Braunschweig boss signed a contract that applies in all three leagues, but no details of the term were announced. Lieberknecht didn't take long to guide his new charges to their first win of the season, and what a win it was. Before the international break the Zebras came away from league leaders Cologne with a 2-1 victory.
Dismal home record
Duisburg occupy 16th place in the table with five points, all of which have come on the road. Their home record could not be any worse. All four games at the Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena ended in defeat (2-0 against Bochum, 1-0 against Fürth, 2-1 against Aue and 3-1 against Regensburg).
No clean sheets
The Zebras have yet to keep a clean sheet home or away this season, making them the only team alongside FC Ingolstadt still waiting to register a shutout. MSV have conceded six goals in the first half and a whopping 12 after the break, more than any other second division team this season.
Room for improvement in front of goal
Nine goals from nine games, a record they share with FC Ingolstadt, translates into the league's second weakest attack. Only SV Sandhausen (five goals) have celebrated less often. The prime reason for this is MSV's chance conversion rate. The Zebras have mustered 111 attempts on goal, meaning only 8.1 per cent of them have found their way into the opposition goal. Once again, only SV Sandhausen have a worse record (6.4 per cent). In comparison, the Boys in Brown have registered 72 attempts on goal and celebrated 15 time, which equates to 20.8 per cent. Only Cologne (96 shots, 22 goals, 22.9 per cent) are more effective in front of goal.
Ever-present
Duisburg captain Kevin Wolze was very prolific last season. The left-back was the most dangerous defender last season with nine goals and has already scored twice this term. He's also the only MSV player yet to miss a minute, a distinction he shares with just 39 others in the second division, including Robin Himmelmann, Philipp Ziereis and Marvin Knoll. His Duisburg teammate Andreas Wiegel has missed just seven minutes, Lukas Fröde only ten.
Long drought
Duisburg's 2-0 win on the last day of last season was their first victory over St. Pauli in almost 18 years. In an undefeated 12-game run stretching back to February 2001, the Boys in Brown had registered eight wins and four draws until that defeat.
Photos: Witters