A machine for producing a fibrous web, such as a tissue web, has pressing device with a pressing element and a counter-element with a closed surface for forming a pressure nip. A water-absorbing belt with a web side and an opposite pressing element side is guided together with the fibrous web through the pressure nip and the fibrous web is separated at the end of the pressure nip from the web side of the water-absorbing belt and runs further with the counter-element. The water-absorbing belt has at least a first ply and a second ply, and, as viewed in the thickness direction of the water-absorbing belt, a layer in or on the belt half which faces the pressing element, which layer has a higher specific throughflow resistance than the first ply and/or the second ply.