The high season expectations of 1. FC Nürnberg were more than dampened by a powerful hit by 1. FC Heidenheim. Meanwhile, SC Paderborn is maintaining its strong form and also insists on the legendary Betzenberg.
With their third win in four games, SC Paderborn has taken the lead in the 2nd Bundesliga for the time being. In the top game of the weekend, East Westphalia won 1-0 (0-0) at newly promoted 1. FC Kaiserslautern, who suffered their first defeat of the season. Felix Platte scored the decisive goal (82′) – at this point FCK were already outnumbered after a red card against Hendrick Zuck (49′).
In front of 33,098 spectators on the Betzenberg, Kaiserslautern and the guests from East Westphalia fought a duel at eye level in the first half. Boris Tomiak (12′) hit the crossbar at the Paderborn goal with a head, while Platte (34′) narrowly missed the lead.
Right at the beginning of the second half, the Red Devils weakened themselves, defender Zuck had to leave the field with a red card after an emergency brake just before the edge of the penalty area against Sirlord Conteh. Referee Matthias Jöllenbeck initially decided on penalties and yellow cards, but according to VAR he changed both decisions. Paderborn then took control of the game, but without combining dangerously in front of FCK keeper Andreas Luthe’s goal. In the final phase, the SCP managed to score the decisive goal when Luthe couldn’t hold on to a shot and Platte reacted quickly.
1. FC Heidenheim has established itself in the top group with its third win of the season. Coach Frank Schmidt’s team won 3-0 (1-0) at 1. FC Nürnberg and now has nine points after four games. Denis Thomalla (44th) gave the guests the lead just before the break, Adrian Beck (49th) and Jan-Niklas Beste (80th) followed suit. The ambitious Nürnberger, on the other hand, largely disappointed and after the second defeat they have to orientate themselves downwards.
The early stages belonged to the guests, who put direct pressure on the club. In the second minute, Lino Tempelmann blocked a dangerous shot by Jonas Föhrenbach, then Beck tested Nuremberg goalkeeper Christian Mathenia (9th), who also saved a little later from Stefan Schimmer (20th). However, when Thomalla came free in the penalty area, Mathenia had no chance. The keeper didn’t look too good for the second Heidenheim goal – goalscorer Beck was likely to shoot unhindered from around 17 meters in front of 27,155 spectators. Nuremberg then tried to find an answer, but could not get past FC goalkeeper Kevin Müller in the few dangerous moments. Heidenheim limited himself to the defensive and waited for a counterattack.
