On the 20th matchday of the 2nd Bundesliga, Hamburger SV delivered an impressive comeback, took a point in Heidenheim – and had this point ennobled a day later. Because followers of Kaiserslautern surprisingly slip up, there is a nice cushion in the promotion race.
Hamburger SV was 3-0 down in Heidenheim on Saturday evening after 45 minutes, and the promotion favorites looked desolate for a long time. At the end of the top game of the 20th match day, the second Bundesliga team and the third Heidenheim were 3:3. And the point that Hamburger SV fought for with an impressive catch-up race to equalize shortly before the end has become more and more valuable: pursuers Heidenheim were kept at a distance with four points – and because competitor 1. FC Kaiserslautern FC St. Pauli surprisingly lost, the first non-promotion spot is now a point further away than at the start of the day.
FC St. Pauli – 1. FC Kaiserslautern 1:0 (0:0)
FC St. Pauli has broken the strong streak of 1. FC Kaiserslautern in the 2nd Bundesliga. The promoted team, who had previously been unbeaten in seven games, lost to Hamburg 0-1 (0-0). Due to the defeat in front of 29,456 spectators at the sold-out Millerntor, the Palatinate slipped down to fifth place behind SC Paderborn. The hosts, for whom Connor Metcalfe scored in the 72nd minute, celebrated their third win in three games under new coach Fabian Hürzeler. St. Pauli remains in ninth place in the table, but has increased its lead over the lower ranks.
Both teams started the game cautiously and largely neutralized each other. The hosts tried to overcome the well-organized defense of the Palatinate with long balls. However, the precision was lacking. Kaiserslautern gave the ball to the Hamburgers. However, the desired switching moments remained in short supply.
So it was logical that St. Pauli had the first big chance. In the 44th minute, Marcel Hartel failed with a header. A little later, Jackson Irvine put the ball next to the left post. These actions woke up the guests. In added time in the first half, Aaron Opoku tested Hamburg goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj. After the change, Hamburg remained the dominant team. After a few good opportunities, the opening goal and victory were the logical consequence. Kaiserslautern’s belated efforts were no longer fruitful. With a win, Kaiserslautern would have drawn level with 1. FC Heidenheim on the relegation rank.
SV Darmstadt 98 – Eintracht Braunschweig 2: 1 (0: 0)
Table leaders Darmstadt 98 showed no nerves in the promotion race after being eliminated in the DFB Cup round of 16 at Eintracht Frankfurt. The Hessians beat Eintracht Braunschweig 2-1 (0-0) on Sunday and extended their lead over second-placed Hamburger SV to four points. In front of 16,342 spectators, Mathias Honsak scored the goals in the 82nd minute and Phillip Tietz (90.3) for the Lilien, who have been unbeaten in 19 league games. Manuel Wintzheimer (52′) put Braunschweig, who ended the game outnumbered after a yellow-red card for Nathan de Medina (90′ 7), into the lead with a hand penalty.
In the first half, Darmstadt gained more of the game, but were unable to take advantage of their chances. Christoph Zimmermann failed with a shot at Braunschweig goalkeeper Jasmin Fejzic, who saved after just under fifteen minutes from a double opportunity for Tietz and Honsak. Just before the break, Honsak only hit the crossbar, the subsequent goal from Marvin Mehlem was disallowed because of a previous foul by the shooter.
The visitors took the lead shortly after the change. After a handball by Zimmermann, Wintzheimer converted the penalty that was due. In the dramatic final phase, Honsak equalized with a header. Shortly thereafter, according to the video images, referee Robert Kampka took back a penalty kick for Braunschweig. And when Tietz scored the winning goal, video evidence had to be sought before it was clear that the shooter had not been offside – as originally decided. So Darmstadt cheered at the end.
Fortuna Dusseldorf – SV Sandhausen 2: 0 (0: 0)
Fortuna Düsseldorf consoled itself with a 2-0 (0-0) win against SV Sandhausen after the bitter cup loss in Nuremberg. After overwhelming superiority, Tim Oberdorf took the deserved lead late (85th minute). Three minutes after the brother of international Lena Oberdorf, Rouwen Hennings made the decision. Top scorer Dawid Kownacki was substituted early on with an injury (18′).
Both teams were eliminated from the DFB Cup last week. After these disappointments, Düsseldorf reacted much better and dominated the game for 90 minutes. Far too little came from Sandhausen to move out of the relegation zone. With 19 points, coach Alois Schwartz’s team is now penultimate in the table. Düsseldorf remains sixth in the table with 32 points. The gap to the relegation rank is five points.
