2. Bundesliga Sunday 13:30 Kickoffs Recap: HSV increase gap, Hürzeler remains 100 percent, draw in Magdeburg
The final afternoon of the 2. Bundesliga weekend saw two red cards as the two Hamburg clubs capitalized from second yellow cards, and a draw in Magdeburg.
More 2. Bundesliga matchday 19 reaction: Friday | Saturday afternoon | Topspiel der Woche
More 2. Bundesliga matchday 19 reaction: Friday | Saturday afternoon | Topspiel der Woche
FC Hansa Rostock 0-2 Hamburger SV
Hamburg increase the gap to Heidenheim, four points separate the two clubs as they comfortably leave Rostock with three points. HSV deservedly led after 40 minutes, as Ludovit Reis' left-footed finish opened the scoring in a dominant half. His fifth goal of the season capped off a half with 65 per cent possession and nine attempts, limiting Hansa Rostock to zero shots on target. Damian Roßbach was given a second yellow card on 80 minutes, and HSV sealed the victory late into second-half stoppage time with András Németh's finish. Rostock open 2023 with consecutive 2-0 defeats, and face Arminia Bielefeld in East Westphalia on Friday next week. HSV head home and prepare for a huge clash against third-placed Heidenheim.
FC Magdeburg 1-1 Karlsruher SC
There was a score draw in Magdeburg as Christian Titz' team remained at the bottom of the 2. Bundesliga. The visitors got off to a perfect start early on, and were leading after just three minutes when Sebastian Jung's thunderbolt of a finish from outside the penalty area beat FCM keeper Dominik Reimann. Karlsruhe were second-best throughout the 90 minutes, and Magdeburg deservedly won a point late on. With only four additional minutes, FCM scored on the fourth, and it was Daniel Elfadli's first goal of the season, the center back clawed a draw for the league's bottom club. Magdeburg heads north for a trip to Kiel next weekend, while Karlsruhe faces Fürth.
FC St. Pauli 2-0 Hannover 96
St. Pauli continued their good form and new coach Fabian Hürzeler remained 100 per cent as St. Pauli coach as it was a comfortable victory. Pauli started strong, and had a two-goal lead by 30 minutes. Lukas Daschner opened the scoring with his fourth goal of the season, and Connor Metcalfe's left-footed finish on 27 minutes was his second of the season, and St. Pauli's second of the game. Phil Neumann was sent off in the second half, adding misery to a pretty bad afternoon for Stefan Leitl and Hannover. St. Pauli stay at home next week when they host FC Kaiserslautern, while Hannover will play at the HDI-Arena against SC Paderborn.