A defective safety net and fan protests initially delayed the game, then VfL Osnabrück blacked out itself in the 2nd Bundesliga game against SV Elversberg.
In the 3-1 (3-0) win on Sunday (February 18, 2024), Manuel Feil (36th), Hugo Vandermesch (38th) and Paul Wanner (45th + 5) made everything clear before the break. Maxwell Gyamfi (52nd) only managed to score the next goal for VfL Osnabrück. While Elversberg is now in a single-digit place in the table in ninth place with 32 points, the situation at the bottom of the table is becoming increasingly hopeless for co-promoter Osnabrück, who have not won since the end of September. The gap to the relegation place is already eleven points.
The “Veilchen” initially made a good impression, at least defensively. After the game started almost 20 minutes later due to a loosened safety net in front of the Osnabrück fan block and then had to be interrupted immediately because tennis balls flew onto the grass from rows of visiting fans, VfL was well in the game.
Osnabrück collapses after conceding its first goal
Osnabrück kept SV, who were secure on the ball, away from their own goal and didn’t allow much. That changed suddenly with the first goal, when Feil headed over the inside post from the right after a long cross to make it 1-0.
Suddenly the Osnabrück defense was on fire with every attack. Less than two minutes later, the advanced Vandermesch made it 2-0 after a nice pass from Jannik Rochelt. Seconds later, Rochelt had the chance to make it 3-0, but only hit the crossbar from 13 meters.
Matthew Genest-Schön, Sportschau, February 18, 2024 3:47 p.m
Jannik Rochelt is the linchpin at Elversberg
Osnabrück’s coach Uwe Koschinat had to watch helplessly as his team lost control. Elversberg, on the other hand, continued to play confidently and extended their lead before the break.
The strong Rochelt hit the woodwork again in stoppage time after a quick move, but Bayern Munich’s loanee Wanner thundered the rebound from ten meters under the crossbar and into the net to make it 3-0.
Osnabrück got off to a dynamic start after the break
The Saarland fans were already celebrating at halftime and loud displeasure could be heard from the frustrated Osnabrück supporters. After all, VfL has been waiting for a win since the end of September.
With a triple substitution at half-time, Osnabrück’s coach Koschinat brought new courage to his team. Erik Engelhardt (49th) tested Elversberg goalkeeper Nicolas Kristof early with a powerful 14-meter shot.
Connection hit by Maxwell Gyamfi too little
Shortly afterwards the guests struck. Kristof directed a beautiful volley from Noel Niemann following a corner onto the crossbar. But VfL captain Gyamfi put the follow-up shot into the goal. The game became much more lively. Osnabrück played with the courage of desperation, but Elversberg also looked for his chances.
Luca Schnellbacher (59th, 65th) failed twice against Osnabrück goalkeeper Philipp Kühn. On the other hand, Fabian Kunze missed the 2:3 from half left. Osnabrück played on equal terms, but ultimately was unable to compensate for the messed up final phase of the first half.
Elsversberg to HSV, Lower Saxony duel for Osnabrück
Both clubs will face opponents from the top group on matchday 23. While SV Elversberg has to face third-placed Hamburger SV on Sunday (February 25, 2024, 1:30 p.m.), the badly hit Osnabrück will welcome the in-form fourth-placed Hannover 96 for a Lower Saxony duel on Saturday at 1 p.m.