SpVgg Greuther Fürth is heading for the promotion places in the 2nd Bundesliga. After a shock win at SC Paderborn, Fürth is now the first pursuer of the top trio. The Fürth team could especially thank their goalkeeper Jonas Urbig.
The Franconians won their pursuit duel in Paderborn 1-0 (1-0) and are now unbeaten in eight games. For the SCP, after three successes at the end of the first half of the season, it was a hard setback at the restart.
Both teams needed a three-pointer at the start after the winter break in order to stay in touch with the promotion places. At first, this seemed to motivate the guests from Franconia in particular, who obviously wanted to pick up where they left off with the 5-0 win in the first leg. Fürth started powerfully and boldly and had their first big chance early on through Branimir Hrgota. But the double goalscorer from the first leg put the ball over the box from eleven meters (3rd minute).
Fürth presses early
From the middle of the first half, the Paderborn team showed that they wanted to get involved. Fürth’s keeper Jonas Urbig was the focus of attention twice. First he saved against Sebastian Klaas (19th), and a little later he reacted quickly to a header from Felix Platte (22nd). The SCP missed the biggest (double) chance when Kerim Calhanoglu first scratched a shot from Felix Platte off the line and then Julian Green pushed the rebound away from Ilyas Ansah at the last second (26th).
“A future national goalkeeper has no place in the second division,” joked Paderborn’s coach Kwasniok about the outstanding performance of Fürth’s goalkeeper Jonas Urbig on the Sportschau microphone. “The fact that we didn’t score a goal here today was primarily due to him.”
Paderborn finds its way into the game – and falls behind
Just when Paderborn had really found its way into the game, the shock: Robert Wagner quickly switched after an inaccurate Paderborn pass and passed it across the middle to Armindo Sieb, who pushed the ball past SCP keeper Pelle Boevink from close range (33′).
SCP gets rolling
After the break, the guests acted more cautiously, concentrating on defense and occasional offensive attacks. However, the SCP initially had little idea what to do with this freedom. Good chances for Paderborn’s plate and Koen Koston’s were almost 0-2, which Boevink prevented with a classy reaction against the free-standing screen.
Paderborn got more and more going, while Fürth slowly gave up control. First, a shot from substitute Aaron Zehnter hit the crossbar (67′), a little later Urbig saved again from Sirlord Conteh (71′).
Urbig as Fürth’s savior
The Fürth keeper showed his greatest act with a penalty kick against Adriano Grimaldi, he anticipated the corner and also fended off the follow-up shot (79th). Although the SCP threw everything forward, it was still a shaky victory in Fürth.
Paderborn in Osnabrück, Fürth against Kiel
The Paderborn team will be guests at VfL Osnabrück next matchday (Saturday, January 27th, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.). The Fürth team are challenged against Kiel a day later (1:30 p.m.).