Nuremberg's coach sees red: Würzburg's time of suffering is getting worse

Saturday, January 02, 2021

Nuremberg's coach sees red
Würzburg's suffering is getting worse and worse

The Würzburger Kickers do not come to rest in the new year either. First a corona case shortly before kick-off, then the next bitter defeat. VfL Bochum, on the other hand, cheers late and jumps to the promotion places, while Heidenheim sobered 1. FC Nürnberg.

1. FC Heidenheim – 1. FC Nuremberg 2-0 (1-0)

At the start of the year, 1. FC Nürnberg had to accept a damper in the second Bundesliga match. On the 14th matchday the club lost to 1. FC Heidenheim 0: 2 (0: 1) and had to pass the table neighbors (22 points) with another 19 points. In an intense encounter, Denis Thomalla (45 + 1) met shortly before half-time after a fine heber pass from Dzenis Burnic to give the hosts the lead, who have not lost a home game in 15 months.

But the FCN did not open up after the deficit and started the second half with pressure. Enrico Valentini (47th) and the substitute ex-Heidenheimer Nikola Dovedan (48th) missed good opportunities for the Franks. But the Heidenheimers caught up and acted more concentrated again after the shaky initial phase. Then the team of coach Frank Schmidt again demonstrated its merciless efficiency: After a corner from Kevin Sessa, central defender Patrick Mainka (76th) headed into the far corner.

In the 90th minute, FCN coach Robert Klauss saw the red card after kicking a water bottle out of frustration at a referee's decision. Shortly before, Adam Zrelak's (88th) supposed goal was not given because of Manuel Schäffler's offside position.

VfL Bochum – SV Darmstadt 98 2: 1 (0: 0)

VfL Bochum jumped to second place, at least temporarily, after a double strike in the closing stages. Coach Thomas Reis's team won 2: 1 (0: 0) after falling behind SV Darmstadt 98 and passed Hamburger SV with 26 points. The guests from Hessen stay in the middle of the table with 18 points. First, Tobias Kempe (80th) put Darmstadt in the lead with a remarkable free kick. But then Kempe hit his own net (82nd), before Milos Pantovic (83rd) ensured the acclaimed victory. A varied game developed in the stadium on Castroper Straße, but chances in front of both goals remained scarce for long periods.

Bochum's Danny Blum had the best chance of the first half in the eighth minute, but after a failed defensive action, he did not hit the ball correctly and clearly missed the goal. After the break, however, the guests appeared dangerously in front of the VfL goal – and cheered too early. After a big chance from Kempe, Serdar Dursun hit the net at the corner kick, but was offside. It was a game at eye level – until the events rolled over in the final phase.

Würzburger Kickers – Karlsruher SC 2: 4 (1: 3)

The tattered bottom Würzburger Kickers is still in the crisis, the Karlsruher SC, however, ended their negative series despite two own goals. The Würzburg team of coach Bernhard Trares lost against KSC 2: 4 (1: 3) and has now been without points for five games. Benjamin Goller (12th) brought the guests forward one day after his birthday, then Marvin Wanitzek managed a special "hat trick": First the KSC professional extended the lead (28th), then he falsified a cross on the other side own goal (32nd), and then he restored the old lead with a wonderful long-range shot (44th).

KSC captain Jerome Gondorf (48th) extended the result, his team mate Dirk Carlson saw yellow-red (58th). Another KSC own goal by Christoph Kobald (67th) did not help the Würzburgers to catch up. KSC, which scored again after three defeats, is now in the middle of the table with 19 points. For the Kickers (4), the relegation place is already seven points away – on Sunday the gap could grow further.

A positive corona test by a Würzburg player became known on Saturday morning. However, since all the other professionals had a negative result, the game against KSC took place. In this, Karlsruhe made life difficult for themselves by being sent off and their own goals. The Kickers are already back in action next Wednesday (6.30 p.m. / Sky and in the ntv.de live ticker) in the catch-up game against FC St. Pauli. The game against the Hamburgers originally planned for December 16 had been postponed due to a corona-related quarantine measure among the Würzburgers.