Three goals, one offside and one own goal, plus a spectacular rescue act on the line - and all in just 61 minutes. Interview with Dominik Stroh-Engel.
Unterhaching - three goals, one offside and one own goal, plus a spectacular rescue act on the line - and all in just 61 minutes. Unterhaching's experienced storm Dominik Stroh-Engel experienced the craziest game of his professional career at the Torfestival in Halle (5: 3) on Sunday. At the same time, the 34-year-old attacker's marksmanship on his first start since December boosted Hachingen's hopes of jumping into the second division. Because the competition failed on the weekend, coach Claus Schromm's team is tied for promotion twelve points before the end with league leaders Duisburg.
Mr. Stroh-Engel, eight goals, an intense and nerve-wracking final phase. How do you rate the game against Halle FC with a little distance?
Our goal was actually to take a point. Now we're just happy. We would have signed a win in Halle immediately before that. But you couldn't count on it being such a wild game. At the end of the day we took the three points with us and only that counts. Next week nobody will ask how the result came about.
It was also a crazy afternoon for you personally. How did you experience the game?
It was the craziest game in my career. I've never scored an own goal. Attacking was just going well. Everything works on such a day, I also confidently transformed my own goal (laughs).
Can you remember a similarly crazy game?
We won (2013 / Red.) At home with Darmstadt 6: 0 against Rostock. It was 2-0 at the break, then I scored four goals in one half. It was similarly crazy and also a game that you can always tell about.
Why were you replaced after 61 minutes?
That was agreed. Bringing a fresh striker for the final phase makes more sense than torturing myself for 30 minutes. We have such a balanced squad, we can do that.
Stephan Hain, who came into the game for you, then scored twice. Is Haching now having a luxury problem by storm?
Yes, but that's exactly what the club wanted. That you can replace a striker one to one in a weak phase or injury. We treat ourselves to each other as well, and if we could do the miracle, we would all benefit from it. But thank God I'm not the trainer and don't have to line up.
You mentioned the miracle. Now Haching is tied with Duisburg at the top. What does that do to the team?
The mood couldn't be better. We still have to twist a few small screws to play it down constantly. We do a lot of things right, but the hot phase of the season is still to come. It's tight in the table. With two defeats you are back in midfield.
So is the ascent the advertised goal?
I am the wrong contact person. You have to ask the president or the coach. We want to be among the leaders in April and compete for the promotion ranks. And when we're still up there, we obviously want to make it.
Friday evening is the third division derby against Bayern II. How do you approach this game?
We are going to worry about it this week. Bayern still played on Monday, a strenuous bus ride and one day less of regeneration. But of course they are in very good shape. We definitely want to deliver a real fight at home on Friday and take the points with us.