WITHBack at the top, but not completely satisfied: Werder Bremen dropped important points in the promotion race on the 28th match day of the 2nd Bundesliga. Coach Ole Werner’s team had to settle for a 1-1 (0-0) win against SV Sandhausen, who were threatened with relegation, despite their clear superiority.
With 52 points, the Hanseatic League moved ahead of Darmstadt 98 and FC St. Pauli (both 51), who lost 1-0 in Rostock on Saturday. The former German soccer record champion 1. FC Nürnberg has lost ground in the promotion race. In the chasing duel at 1. FC Heidenheim, the “club” lost 1:3 (0:2), which brought FCH with 45 points to within one point of the Franconians, who occupy fifth place. In between there is FC Schalke 04 (50).
The gap between FCN and a direct promotion rank is now five points. For Nuremberg, a series of five games without defeat (four wins) came to an end. The Franconians had already dropped two points in the 1-1 draw against relegation candidate Dynamo Dresden.
Heidenheim clever
Tim Kleindienst (3rd) and Maurice Malone (36th) set the course for the Heidenheim hosts to win early on in front of 10,673 fans. Kleindienst (84th) made it 3-0 with goal number nine of the season, Manuel Schäffler (88th) made the final score.
Heidenheim was clever in evaluating chances, while the guests determined the game, but lacked the necessary determination on the offensive. In the second half, too, the club pros were optically superior, but rarely endangered Heidenheim’s defence.
Heidenheim came back after less than impressive performances, having previously recorded one win, two draws and three defeats in six games.
Werder without penetrating power
Werder ran, but Pascal Testroet gave the visitors the lead with their first shot on goal (64′). Marvin Ducksch provided the quick answer with a direct acceptance (73rd), it was not enough for more in front of 36,000 spectators in the Weser Stadium.
The hosts pushed Sandhausen into their own half from the start, but without constantly threatening to score. Niclas Füllkrug (28th) from close range and Felix Agu with a header (45th + 1) had the best chances in the first round, but SVS keeper Patrick Drewes parried. In the second half, too, there was a long lack of creativity to overturn the tightly staggered guest defense. With the two goals, the game really picked up speed again.
Düsseldorf and Karlsruhe tied
Despite initially having a great advantage and a secure 2-0 lead, Fortuna Düsseldorf had to be satisfied with a point at Karlsruher SC. With the 2: 2 (2: 0) the team of Daniel Thioune remained unbeaten in the seventh game under the new coach and increased the lead over the relegation zone to five points six games before the end of the season.
Daniel Ginczek (31st minute) and Rouwen Hennings (38th) gave the Rhinelanders the lead in front of 17,907 spectators. KSC, weak before the break, equalized after an increase in performance in the second half with a penalty kick from Marvin Wanitzek (66th) and striker Philipp Hofmann’s 16th goal of the season (83rd).
After a moment of shock for Fortuna when Hofmann narrowly missed (9′), the guests, who seemed more relaxed, took control of the game. After a cross from the former Karlsruher Hennings, Ginczek scored from close range to make it 0:1, then Hennings followed up with his 13th goal of the season from a few meters. Ninth-placed Karlsruhe continued to struggle in terms of play, but Wanitzek’s converted penalty after Jordy de Wijs fouled Daniel Gordon and made the game exciting again. Hofmann equalized with a hammer from a good 18 meters away.
