Tight promotion race
© Imago
Hamburger SV has stumbled on the way back to the Bundesliga. The second division leader unexpectedly lost to the relegation candidate Eintracht Braunschweig with 2: 4 (0: 2). Leon Bell Bell (40th minute), an own goal of Silvan Hefti (41.), Julian Baas (84th) and Rayan Philippe (86th) sealed the first home defeat of the HSV for almost a year. At the same time, it was the first victory of the Braunschweiger in Hamburg in 49 years. They leave the relegation relegation place 16 at least until Sunday.
The goals by Davie Selke (74./90.+5) were too little for the HSV. Despite the defeat, the team of head coach Merlin Polzin remains in first place, since 1. FC Köln could not win at SpVgg Greuther Fürth. However, 1st FC Magdeburg and 1. FC Kaiserslautern can get to HSV on the weekend.
The favorite struggled in front of 57,000 spectators in the once again sold -out folk park stadium. The Braunschweigers acted bravely, did little to do the back and tried for offensive campaigns. Their wages were the goal by Bell Bell and the own goal of HSV defender Hefti shortly before the break. The Hamburgers sometimes seemed sluggish, and there were a number of careless mistakes. The lack of the recently outstanding midfielder Ludovit Reis (yellow lock) and the offensive left-back Miro Muheim (muscle fiber tear in the calf) was noticeable.
HSV coach Polzin reacted to the second half and brought three new forces. His team became more important, but their game was not better. Eintracht was even more dangerous: Philippe (54th) only hit the crossbar of the Hamburg gate after a counterattack. The HSV gradually woke up and came up again through Selkes 18th Sizeontor. But hope lasted only ten minutes: then Baas and Philippe made the victory of the Braunschweig perfect. Selke’s second goal in added time was no longer a consolation for the HSV.
1. FC Köln missed the top of the table of the 2nd league
However, the 1. FC Köln missed the leap to the top of the table of the 2nd Bundesliga after an entertaining exchange of blows. The better team of coach Gerhard Struber in the end awarded a variety of best chances at the brave SpVgg Greuther Fürth and had to be content with a 1: 1 (1: 1). Cologne could not use the stark mistake of Hamburger SV.
The Cologne team were able to rely against the Franks on their goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe, who reacted several times. The Rhinelander are second after the 29th matchday only one point behind the HSV. However, they missed them temporarily expanding their cushion in Magdeburg and Kaiserslautern to seven points.
Noel Futkeu gave the Fürther in front of 15,294 spectators in the twelfth minute with his tenth goal of the season. The Cologne team were able to compensate for a psychologically favorable time before half -time with a penalty from Luca Waldschmidt (45th). Noah Loosli had brought Julian Pauli, who replaced Dominique Heintz at short notice.
The Cologne team performed in the first half. After the change, both teams themselves left the best chances. Substitute Mark Uth (63.) failed after a pass from Damion Downs on Fürth’s keeper Nahuel Noll. On the other hand, the Futkeu (68.), which was impressed by Learst Paçarada, missed his second goal. Schwäbe then reacted well against Jomaine Consbruch (76.). The Cologneers were unlucky when there was no further penalty at a foul against Downs (85th).