Saturday 15 January 2022
Lilies miss the top of the table
KSC and Darmstadt turbulently share the points
A curious own goal, many thrilling duels and a tight VAR decision. The top game of the 2nd Bundesliga between Darmstadt and the KSC does not find a winner in the end. The lilies miss first place, but consolidate their role as aspirants for promotion.
Darmstadt 98 didn’t take advantage of the moment and missed the lead in the 2nd Bundesliga. Seven hours after the surprising 2: 2 of the leader FC St. Pauli against Erzgebirge Aue, the Lilies did not get more than 2: 2 (0: 1) against their feared opponent Karlsruher SC and remain second.
With an own goal, Klaus Gjasula initially put Darmstadt behind (22′), then the midfielder equalized with a header (48′). Just three minutes later, Fabian Holland made the Hessians dream of their first home win against KSC since 1980. But Fabian Schleusener (71st) shattered this dream. The supposed Karlsruher 3: 2 by the Darmstadt Thomas Isherwood was denied after video evidence because of a previous offside position (74th).
A quick free-kick gave KSC the lead: Marvin Wanitzek crossed into the penalty area when Darmstadt were not yet sorted. Gjasula steered the ball into his own goal during an unsuccessful rescue operation.
The fact that the guests were ahead after the first half was fortunate. Because Darmstadt was the game-determining team, which also had the majority of goal chances. Luca Pfeiffer had the best opportunity before the change of sides, and he just missed the goal after a cross from Phillip Tietz (25′).
Shortly after the break, Pfeiffer headed just a few centimeters over the bar (47′). A little later, Gjasula did better with his head – and his own goal made up for it. 233 seconds later, Holland made it 2-1. But that was not the end of the game.