1. FC Kaiserslautern continues its impressive run in the 2nd Bundesliga and has now even taken over the top of the table. Coach Dirk Schuster’s team won the top game against Hannover 96 3-1 (1-1) on Friday evening (October 6th, 2023).
At least until Saturday, FCK is now at the top, and FC St. Pauli and Hamburger SV can overtake them again as the 9th matchday progresses. Havard Nielsen (17th minute) had taken the lead in 96, and in stoppage time he was once again the center of attention: the striker was shown a red card for serious foul play (90th + 2).
Two foul penalties for Kaiserslautern
In stoppage time in the first half, Boris Tomiak (45th + 5) managed to equalize for Kaiserslautern with a controversial penalty kick. Aaron Opoku (79th) and again Tomiak (90th + 10, penalty kick) finally scored the victory for the hosts, who have been unbeaten since the beginning of August. Hannover suffered its first defeat in six weeks and remains in pursuit with 15 points.
“We had a hard time in the first half”said Lautern’s coach Dirk Schuster after the game on the Sportschau microphone, “We were lucky that we weren’t 2-0 down. The equalizer with the penalty was a bit lucky. The 3-1 win feels really good.”
“The game was decided by controversial decisions that could have been interpreted differently”said Hanover’s coach Stefan Leitl at the sports show, “We didn’t deserve to lose today.”
From the start it was a worthy top game between two self-confident teams. There were good chances to score on both sides, Nielsen used a strong combination to take the lead. In stoppage time in the first half, Hannover’s second goal by Phil Neumann was taken back due to an offside position – and just moments later Tomiak was allowed to take the penalty at the other end. Marcel Halstenberg hit Jan Elvedi with his elbow, and referee Michael Bacher immediately awarded a penalty, amid loud protests from the guests. Even after the break, both teams worked promisingly towards victory, Opoku finally completed a counterattack to give Kaiserslautern the lead.
Hanover against Magdeburg, Lautern at Fortuna
At the start of the 10th matchday, Hannover 96 hosts 1. FC Magdeburg (Friday, October 20, 2023, 6:30 p.m.). Kaiserslautern is challenged a day later in Düsseldorf (8.30 p.m.).