Welcome to the tightest 2nd league in the world: After Darmstadt 98’s win against 1. FC Kaiserslautern, the first and tenth in the table are currently only separated by four points.
Killian Corredor (33rd and 89th minutes), Fraser Hornby (45th + 2/73rd) and Luca Marseiler (62nd) shot the “Lilien” to a 5:1 (2:0) win. Lautern had the chance to jump to the top, but had a pitch-black day.
“We weren’t in the game from the first second,” said Kaiserslautern’s coach Markus beginning angrily. “Sometimes you have such needed days. We have to talk about it,” Beginning continued.
Sports show, December 14th, 2024 11:16 p.m
From the start, Darmstadt, which had already scored 23 points in twelve games under coach Florian Kohfeldt, dominated the game, but Isac Liedberg failed to reward their dominance with a goal. The team’s top striker missed freely in front of FCK goalkeeper Julian Krahl, who made a strong save (7′). Six minutes later, Lidberg had the lead again, but he twisted his leg so badly while attempting a shot that he injured himself and had to leave the field.
Corredor and Hornby don’t even give Krahl a chance
But Darmstadt’s superiority in no way influenced this. After a free kick cross, Hornby was only centimeters away from hitting the crossbar with his head (21′). Corredor then had the necessary accuracy, placing an exemplary cross from Sergio Lopez in the far corner of the Lauterer goal (33′).
A little later, Luca Marseiler had a great opportunity to score the second goal, but Krahl prevented this with an outstanding foot save (40th). A few seconds before the half-time whistle, the FCK keeper was powerless when Hornby put the ball in his goal with a shot from 16 meters (45th + 2). The lead was not only well deserved, but also by no means too high.
“Red Devil” better, but then Marseiler hits
Lautern came out of the half-time break a little stronger and had their first good chances through Boris Tomiak, but Marcel Schuhen was able to parry his shot from 17 meters (49′). Darmstadt was still in the game and didn’t just focus on defending, but Marseiler also missed his second good chance (54th).
When Frank Ronstadt narrowly missed a low shot (61′), Darmstadt needed luck for the first time and certainly gave the impression of letting up a little. But appearances were deceptive. A minute later, the “Lilien” were allowed to let the ball run unmolested in the Lauter penalty area, but Krahl also made a mistake when he blocked a harmless shot from Corredor at the feet of goalscorer Marseiler – the 3-0 (62nd minute).
Lautern is collapsing
After the goal, Lautern was completely out of control. Krahl had to prevent Clemens Riedel from conceding the fourth goal and was then lucky that Aleksandar Vukotic shot the follow-up shot over his goal (71′). There was a threat of a debacle for the FCK, which was just arguing with itself, hardly defending and playing even less football.
And Darmstadt took further advantage of this. After a long ball, Marseiler was through and played across to Hornby, who was able to score his second goal unchallenged (73′). At least Daniel Hanslik scored the consolation goal for the guests, who were still very disappointing (84′) – but then Corredor provided the crowning finale for Darmstadt with a dream goal after a slalom run through the Lautern defense (89′). Despite being in tenth place, they are now in the top group of the tightest second league in the world.
“We continue to concentrate on our development,” coach Florian Kohfeldt remained cautious. “I am extremely satisfied with my team’s performance.”
Darmstadt in Regensburg, Lautern against Cologne
The Darmstadt team will play against Regensburg next weekend (December 22nd, 1:30 p.m.). Meanwhile, Lautern hosts 1. FC Köln.