2. Bundesliga Saturday 13:00 Kickoffs Recap: Lautern in dreamland, Braunschweig shock Heidenheim
The 2. Bundesliga didn’t disappoint on Saturday afternoon, with nine goals in the three matches. Here is the recap:
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1. FC Kaiserslautern 2-1 Holstein Kiel
There is a real feeling in the air at the Fritz-Walter-Stadion that this Kaiserslautern team is different. They believe that this could be a miraculous back-to-back promotion, and that belief was only reinforced with their 2-1 victory over Holstein Kiel. Kiel, in their own right, are the ultimate 2. Bundesliga test. They have been a second division outfit for a long time and on their day can play like one of the best teams in the division. Kaiserslautern didn’t allow them to partake in their game plan of aiming to frustrate Kaiserslautern with deep defending and targeted pressing. Hendrick Zuck’s cross was deflected to Daniel Hanslik who headed the ball home. Lautern decided to play Kiel’s card and defend deep, the visitors elapsed 65 per cent possession in the first half. They deserved their reward with an equalizer on 30 minutes when Finn Dominik Porath’s header from a throw-in beat Andreas Luthe. The second half was finely poised until FCK talisman Terrence Boyd came alive and his right-footed finish won all three points. Kaiserslautern held on, and move closer to the promotion-playoff spots as they move a point behind third-placed Heidenheim.
Eintracht Braunschweig 2-0 FC Heidenheim
The Kaiserslautern result meant that Heidenheim needed points against Braunschweig, which they couldn’t get. EBS were as plucky as ever, only having 35 per cent of the ball throughout the game but were efficient in front of goal. Jan Hendrik Marx’s long, diagonal pass allowed Manuel Wintzheimer to be in a foot-race. He won and emerged with the ball in front of goal and slotted it past Kevin Müller. The hosts were under immense pressure for the final 20 minutes and Heidenheim attempted 17 shots throughout the match, but Lion Lauberbach sealed all three points and a massive victory for Michael Schiele’s club.
SSV Jahn Regensburg 1-3 Arminia Bielefeld
This was my pick for most entertaining match of the weekend so far. Two teams battling relegation going against each other in a metaphorical six-pointer. Regensburg started the match better and led after the first corner of the match, lifting the ball to the near-post and headed in by Jan Elvedi. Sebastian Vasiliadis’ volley in the penalty area leveled the match and Bielefeld started to dominate proceedings. They notched four shots on target in the second half, and Fabian Klos’ brace as a substitute sealed three points for the East Westphalian side, and move them out of the relegation zone to 12th. Regensburg occupy the relegation-playoff spot in 16th.
The 'Topspiel der Woche' is Greuther Fürth vs. 1. FC Nürnberg at 20:30 German time. At the conclusion of the match, my review will be available right here on Bulinews.