Fourth game, third defeat: Fortuna Düsseldorf is not getting going in the 2nd Bundesliga with coach Markus beginning. The Rhinelanders lost 0-1 (0-0) to Bundesliga relegated Holstein Kiel.
In an otherwise tough and uneventful game, Kaspar Davidsen set the highlight of the game with his goal in the 57th minute. Düsseldorf almost had a great chance to equalize with a penalty, but a lengthy VAR decision denied the penalty.
“In my opinion, we are clearly the better team. All the statistics show that, we are better in all areas,” said at the beginning of the sports show. “In terms of content, I can’t really blame the boys, except that we didn’t score from the back. We also have to score one or two goals in the first half.”
Kiel coach Marcel Rapp spoke of a “happier ending” for his team. “It was a big fight at the end. Today the boys were rewarded for a good performance against a good opponent.”
Game starts with two fouls
Two fouls in the first minute of the game – one could expect an intense, competitive game. A win would be immensely important for both teams: Kiel have been waiting for a win since mid-September. Fortuna hasn’t been able to get a three-pointer since the coaching change to Markus at the beginning of October. Both teams started the game tensely and chances to score were scarce in the early stages.
Sportschau, November 9th, 2025 4:36 p.m
The defensive lines were compact and didn’t allow much. The Düsseldorf team attacked the home team early, but precise passes from Kiel prevented the visitors from winning the ball.
Ramussen narrowly missed the lead
The Kiel team found it increasingly difficult to outplay Fortuna’s high pressing. It was becoming increasingly rare to penetrate the opponent’s half. The guests, in turn, increasingly gained possession of the ball, but were unable to convert it into gaining space.
Shortly before the half-time whistle, the guests had a great chance: from around 17 meters, Rasmussen shot with his left instep towards the Kiel goal. Krumrey didn’t get to the ball, but the crossbar saved Kiel from going behind. But Rasmussen wasn’t done yet. After an assist from Zimmermann, the Dane got to the ball in the center and tried to push the ball into the far corner. But Kiel’s keeper was quickly down and parried to the side. Düsseldorf narrowly missed taking the lead and the half remained goalless.
Sportschau 2. Bundesliga Highlights, Sportschau, November 9th, 2025 3:33 p.m
Davidsen hits worth seeing
After the restart, the spectators finally got to see something. In the 57th minute, Kasper Davidsen redeemed the visiting team with the opening goal. Kapralik received Rosenborn’s cross with a side kick and hit the post. But the rebound landed directly at Davidsen, who sank the ball into the bottom right corner in a technically sophisticated manner from almost 15 meters. For Davidsen, who only moved from Aalborg to Kiel in the summer, it is the first goal in the Holstein jersey.
Ten minutes later, Schwab had a chance to extend their lead. Schwab brought the ball into the penalty area after winning the ball, but he didn’t manage to take advantage of the advantage: the cross pass didn’t go through. There would have been more.
Hope for a penalty
Shortly before the end of the game, Düsseldorf had hope again. In the fight for a bouncing ball, Davisen came too late and hit Egouli in the calf. The VAR kicked in and checked for a penalty. It would have been a chance for Düsseldorf, especially because there wasn’t much to come from the current game. But luck was on the hosts’ side: due to an offside position prior to the action, there was no penalty for Fortuna. A scene that could still be a topic of conversation.
After the lengthy VAR decision, there was a correspondingly long injury time. Many small interruptions in the game helped the hosts manage their lead. The Düsseldorfers were also unable to take advantage of the additional eleven minutes of play. It remained 1-0 for the “Storks”.
For the people of Kiel, the three points mean: Breathe deeply. They jump to tenth place in the table and extend their lead over the relegation places to five goals. For the people of Düsseldorf and coach Markus beginning, the worry lines are getting deeper. One point separates them from Braunschweig, who are in the relegation zone with ten points.
Kiel in Kaiserslautern, Düsseldorf against Magdeburg
Kiel will be visiting 1. FC Kaiserslautern on Sunday afternoon after the international break (1:30 p.m.). Düsseldorf welcomes 1. FC Magdeburg on Saturday afternoon (1 p.m.).