Ersan Parlatan, coach of the regional soccer team Kickers Offenbach, expects the same virtues from his team in the chasing duel at FC Homburg on Saturday as they did in the 2-1 home win against Balingen. A player has a casserole guarantee.
Offenbach – It’s game one of the month of truth for regional football league team Kickers Offenbach with seven competitive games including the semifinals in the Hessen Cup at FSV Frankfurt. And in the third place in the table, all senses are sharpened for the game on Saturday (2 p.m.) against FC Homburg. “We want to increase the pressure on the clubs in front of us,” emphasizes OFC trainer Ersan Parlatan, with a view to the leaders SSV Ulm 1846 (52 points) and TSV Steinbach Haiger, who are unable to play due to the weather. The Hessians are equal on points with the OFC (46), the first pursuer of the Ulmer, but face a similarly high hurdle at FSV Frankfurt as Offenbach at the table fourth (44) from the Saarland.
The importance of the game at the former Bundesliga club is clear to everyone, even if everyone responsible for Offenbach wants to avoid an overshoot. What is undisputed, however, is that whoever loses threatens to lose touch with the top. It is accordingly clear to everyone involved how such a game is to be approached. “We have to bring the virtues that we showed against Balingen back onto the pitch,” demands Mike Feigenspan and shortens it to this formula: “We have to deliver a fight.”
The 27-year-old, who joined OFC from third-division club SV Meppen in the winter, has a good chance of being part of the offensive line-up in Homburg. “I prefer to play on the left so I can pull in with my right foot,” he says. Against Balingen that almost led to the desired success for the first time. The bar stood in the way of his first competitive goal for the Kickers. Ersan Parlatan certified the native of Kassel (“He is a mental player”), who will meet his former club KSV Hessen next Wednesday (Feigenspan: “Of course I’m really looking forward to it”), to be well integrated and above all against Balingen to have made a good game. There was no performance reason for him having to leave for the break.
Parlatan even promised midfielder Jost Mairose, who had been in the starting XI against Balingen for the first time in a long time. “He’s a good example for everyone: He came in and worked to the point,” praised the OFC trainer and is now hoping for a similarly good mood in Mairose in Homburg. After all, Björn Jopek is missing an important strategist in central midfield after his dismissal against Balingen. So while Mairose is set, Parlatan doesn’t let anyone look at his cards. Especially since all players except for Jopek are ready for action. Feigenspan quickly internalized what it means to play for a regional league team with such a broad squad. “Every one of us has the right to play and tries to make it as difficult as possible for the coach.”
In Homburg, a team will be waiting for the OFC that “want to show a different face” (Parlatan) after a 0-2 defeat in Kassel, but had to play in the state cup during the week (4-0 at FV Eppelborn). The OFC, on the other hand, want to show the face they put on against Balingen: one that showed determination, courage and readiness. “That’s what it’s all about,” Parlatan is convinced.
By Joerg Moll
OFC to conclude four times on Saturdays
The Regionalliga Südwest has scheduled the last four matchdays exactly. For Kickers Offenbach this means: Four Saturday games:
6.5., 14 Uhr: Steinbach (H)
May 13, 2 p.m.: Mainz 05 II (A)
20.5., 2 p.m.: Bahlinger SC (H)
May 27, 2 p.m.: Entry Trier (A)
