2. Bundesliga: Bielefeld defeat Cottbus with Grodowski’s hat-trick
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Joel Grodowski scored his first league hat-trick as Arminia Bielefeld recorded a convincing win over newly-promoted Energie Cottbus. Both sides have three points to their names as the league will now take a break as the first round DFB-Pokal ties are set to be played next week.
Minutes after scoring from an offside position, Grodowski put the hosts ahead with a tap-in from Henri Koudossou’s timely cutback. The 26-year-old right-back provided an assist 26 minutes into his SchücoArena debut.
Ten minutes later, Grodowski grabbed his second of the day after winning back possession high up the pitch from Dominik Pelivan. The 28-year-old dribbled half the pitch uncontested before chipping Marcel Lotka with a delightful finish.
The former Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper was remarkable in the first-half of Cottbus’ win over Hannover, but he was unable to stop the striker who had 12 2. Bundesliga goals last term.
With last season’s top-scorer Erik Engelhardt out for months with a knee injury, Claus-Dieter Wollitz was short of options in the final third. However, he still made three substitutions before the hour mark in hopes of changing the course of the game.
Bielefeld continued to create chances at the other end, with substitute Benjamin Boakye unable to capitalize on Pelivan’s next howler. Tolcay Ciğerci scored from the spot when Cottbus stunned Hannover last week, but the captain also had a difficult afternoon in their first away game back in 2. Bundesliga.
Ciğerci conceded a penalty-kick fifteen minutes from time after a needless challenge on US striker Isaiah Young. Grodowski took the responsibility to complete his hat-trick with a confident penalty-kick.
Both teams are in the top half of the standings after two matchdays in 2. Bundesliga. Cottbus will next play two Bavarian clubs at home, with the league fixture against Greuther Fürth to follow the cup tie with Augsburg.
Oliver Kirch’s side will face newly-promoted 3. Liga side Grossaspach in the DFB-Pokal before traveling to league leaders Nürnberg. Bielefeld trusted the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder as he replaced Mitch Kniat for his maiden first-team role.
