A method to dewater a fibrous web includes directing the fibrous web through a first press zone defined between a revolving permeable belt and a revolving permeable support belt and having a first press zone length. The fibrous web is arranged lying between the revolving permeable belt and the revolving permeable support belt. A fluid is caused to flow through the permeable belt, the fibrous web and the support belt at least over a section of the first press zone length. The fibrous web is dewatered in a second press zone following the first press zone and defined between the revolving permeable belt and the revolving permeable support belt, the second press zone having a second press zone length. The fibrous web is led through the second press zone between the permeable belt and the support belt, the permeable belt and the support belt each having a different compressibility.