Energie Cottbus turns the game around at VfB Stuttgart II and, thanks to a lucky hand from coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz, stays firmly in the fight for promotion. SSV Ulm gives up a lead against Hoffenheim.
VfB Stuttgart II lost 1:2 (0:0) against Energie Cottbus on matchday 27 of the 3rd league. After the goalless first half, Joker Mansour Ouro-Tagba gave the Swabians the lead (51st minute). Tolcay Cigerci equalized with a hand penalty (60th), Axel Borgmann turned the game in favor of the guests (64th).
The guests from Lausitz, cheered on by numerous supporters who had traveled with them, started the encounter with a lot of possession of the ball. The Stuttgart team concentrated on defense and made it difficult for the favorites to build up the game. It took until the 16th minute for the first danger to arise, but Cottbus attacker Erik Engelhardt narrowly missed a cross from the right side in the center. Energy remained more active as a result, but the Swabians were unable to put themselves in the spotlight offensively.
Butler misses top chance
After 22 minutes, Cottbus celebrated the supposed 1-0. But referee Assad Nouhoum refused to recognize the goal for offside after Anderson Lucoqui’s deflected shot. A lucky decision for VfB, as no player appeared to have actively intervened in the game. Energie stayed with it and had the next great chance a short time later, but Justin Butler chased the ball over the Stuttgart goal from close range (25th). After just under half an hour, VfB had their first chance, but energy keeper Marius Funk safely parried Justin Diehl’s shot (27′).
VfB was now able to free themselves from the pressure from the guests and the game was now balanced and more open. Both teams failed to finish in promising counterattack situations. Then Stuttgart’s Tim Köhler tipped the ball off Engelhardt’s foot at the last moment (40th). Ultimately, the half-time break ended goalless.
Ouro-Tagba forgives and scores
At the start of the second half, VfB coach Nico Willig brought on the team
Ouro-Tagba comes into play for Diehl. And the 21-year-old almost got Stuttgart off to a lightning start. Nyamekye Awortwie-Grant saved on the line for the already beaten Funk (46th). Shortly afterwards, Ouro-Tagba celebrated: Christopher Olivier dribbled hard on the right side to the baseline, his cross could only be deflected by keeper Funk at the feet of the attacker, who shot in from close range.
Then Cottbus registered again. VfB goalkeeper Florian Hellstern had rushed far out of his goal, which Butler took advantage of to shoot from a long distance, but the hosts’ defense had rushed back to clear the ball. The guests, who did not agree with some of the referee’s decisions, now increased the pressure. Energy coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz underlined this with three changes, including top scorer Cigerci.
Jokers hit for energy
Then the referee took center stage again. Samuele di Benedetto presumably received the ball after a corner, and referee Nouhoum deemed the scene worthy of a penalty – a very debatable decision. Cigerci stepped up, delayed – and scored safely. The people of Stuttgart protested because Cigerci had supposedly taken a step back during the run-up. But the hit counted.
Butler had the chance to turn the game around after a great solo, but Hellstern saved with a reflex (62′). But just two minutes later the time had come: Cigerci was served in the penalty area and found exactly the right time to cross the pass to Borgmann, who was also substitute, who made it 2-1.
VfB was now able to free itself a bit, but Cottbus was still the better team. Hellstern saved the hosts from conceding a third goal several times. Stuttgart was mainly occupied with defensive tasks against the dominant Cottbus team. At the beginning of stoppage time, VfB had another chance, but Kenny Freßle’s free kick got stuck in the wall. Stuttgart’s protests over a handball were rejected by referee Nouhoum. This left Energie with a deserved 2-1 win.
VfB in Wiesbaden – Cottbus before the East duel
Thanks to the win, Cottbus is level on points with league leaders VfL Osnabrück in second place (both 52). VfB is in 14th place with 35 points – with an eleven-point cushion over the relegation zone.
The Swabians’ second team will play against SV Wehen Wiesbaden on Saturday (2 p.m.). At the same time, Energie Cottbus welcomes Hansa Rostock for the East duel.
Hoffenheim shoots game in Ulm
In another game on matchday 27, relegation-threatened SSV Ulm lost 1:3 (1:1) to TSG Hoffenheim II. Leon Dajaku gave the Sparrows the lead. (12th). Deniz Zeitler with a brace (39th/78th) and Oskar Hencke (88th) turned the game in Kraichgauer’s favor.
The SSV (24) is in 18th place, four points behind the non-relegation places, the TSG is in twelfth place with 35 points. Next Saturday the Ulm team will play against bottom team 1. FC Schweinfurt 05, while the second team from Hoffenheim will host Rot-Weiss Essen
