- "Football takes a backseat": Coach Jagatic delivers forceful declaration
Following their 1-0 victory on the road against Chemnitzer FC in the Regionalliga Nordost, BSG Chemie Leipzig's coach, Miroslav Jagatic, gave an insightful speech. Instead of celebrating their triumph, he chose to tread cautiously. "We tend to look back to the '60s and '70s and appreciate the feats accomplished during those times. We're light years away from that now, regardless of whether it's BSG Chemie, Chemnitzer FC, or other historical clubs," Jagatic shared at the post-match press conference.
The conversation then shifted to the loss of a great player and even greater person, Fritz Feister, from Chemnitzer FC. Jagatic expressed his heartfelt condolences to Feister's family, wishing them strength during this challenging period. "Fritz was not just a talented footballer but also a wonderful individual who had a deep love for the game. This club owes him a lot," Jagatic acknowledged.
This wasn't merely a polite gesture from the visiting coach. It also highlighted the core values that sports should uphold. As a result, the fifth consecutive defeat for CFC and the inaugural match for their new coach, Benjamin Duda, took a backseat. Just four days prior, the DDR champion, Feister, had passed away at the age of 81. Before the match began, both home and away supporters, as well as both teams and staff members, paid their respects to Feister with a minute of silence. The stadium announcer also paid tribute to the 1967 champion before the match started.
BSG Chemie Leipzig is set to face their next opponent, as the footballing world continues to honor the legacy of Fritz Feister, a cherished figure at Chemnitzer FC. Despite being focused on their own preparation, Jagatic and his BSG Chemie Leipzig team are keen on acknowledging the profound impact Feister had on their rival club.
