A late goal gave 1. FC Kaiserslautern a dream return to the 2nd Bundesliga against Hannover 96 on Friday (07/15/2022).
Kaiserslautern’s fans were able to celebrate early after four years of being away from the second division: Mike Wunderlich gave the “Red Devils” the lead in the eleventh minute. Substitute Havard Nielsen equalized for Hannover ten minutes before the end. Kevin Kraus scored the winning goal after a corner kick in injury time (90+ 2 minutes). “We committed ourselves to this game with every fiber of our being and absolutely wanted to prove that we can keep up in the second division. The way the team implemented that was brilliant.”praised FCK coach Dirk Schuster.
Lautern with a lot of promotion euphoria
Kaiserslautern started with a lot of momentum and seemed to have taken the euphoria that had arisen in the region since the successful promotion right into the start of the season: no adjustment phase to the new league and the new season. Both teams accepted the duels from the first second, in the 13th minute had with the Hanoverian Gaël Ondoua and Lautern’s Boris Tomiak, two players have already received a yellow card from referee Sven Waschitzki-Günther.
The approximately 40,000 fans in the Fritz-Walter-Stadion in Hanover saw the first goal: But Andreas Luthe, who had switched to Betzenberg from Union Berlin, had no problems with Louis Schaub’s shot (11′). Almost in return, the fans of the home team cheered.
Börner’s season debut to get used to
Because Hanover’s central defender Julian Börner experienced a season start to break the habit: A completely unsuccessful back pass attempt by Börner keepers Ron-Robert Zieler took himself Terence Boyd, served Wunderlich perfectly in a central position, who put the ball into the Hanover goal with a tackle. It was the 36-year-old’s first second division goal in eleven and a half years. At that time, Wunderlich had scored for FSV Frankfurt. “We showed brutal passion. It’s all the better that we were able to score the winning goal shortly before the end. It was a perfect start.”said Wonderful
And while Hannover continued to have difficulties getting into the game, Wunderlich tried again a little later with a direct acceptance – this time unsuccessfully (20′).
The new 96 coach Stefan Leitl had to change tactics early on: Ondoua was lucky that he didn’t see yellow-red after an unfair use of his arm in a duel, and was substituted a little later to protect against an impending suspension.
The “Betze brennt” – in the first game of the season
The game continued to pick up momentum and commitment: after a theatrical case by FCK right wingers jean Zimmer after being touched by Phil Neumann, the first “pack” developed – the referee had to calm things down.
But Lautern continued to press the button, Kenny Redondo, who came on for the injured Ben Zolinski, tested Zieler with a long-range shot (39′).
No more changes for the second half
Without any further personnel changes, the second period of the game began just as the first had ended: with many courageous duels, loud fans from both camps and a more determined FCK. However, the hosts were unable to create clear scoring chances.
After an hour of play, the guests from Lower Saxony gained more game shares – and also a better chance: Neumann took aim from a distance and just missed. Fifteen minutes before the end of the game, Sebastian Kerk twirled a stationary ball around the wall from a central position – but Luthe showed a good eye during his flight and steered the ball around the post. A little later, the keeper excelled again in a Havard Nielsen header.
Nielsen with the equalizer
In the 80th minute, however, Luthe was powerless. cedric Teuchert worked his way down the left flank and passed the ball into the back of central defense down the middle. Nielsen was right there and pushed the ball into the left corner to equalize. The 96ers then pushed for the winning goal with the second wind. But FCK held back: Kevin Kraus converted from a short distance after a corner kick.
On the second day of the game, Kaiserslautern travels to Holstein Kiel (07/23/2022, 1:00 p.m.), Hanover welcomes FC St. Pauli (8:30 p.m.).