- Cottbus loses to Bielefeld
Promoted FC Energie Cottbus kicked off the 3. Bundesliga season with a late defeat. The Lausitz team lost 1:2 (0:0) to Arminia Bielefeld on the first matchday, thanks to a goal in added time. Cottbus last played in the 3. Liga in the 2018/19 season.
Phil Halbauer put the hosts ahead with the opening goal in the 42nd minute. Louis Oppie (68.) equalized for the visitors from Bielefeld, who were the more dominant team overall. Maximilian Großer scored the winning goal in added time (90.+2).
Wollitz suspended in Dresden
Energie Cottbus coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz was shown a yellow card and then a red card by referee Tom Bauer from Mainz for protesting immediately after the half-time whistle. Wollitz will therefore be suspended for the next game on Friday against Dynamo Dresden.
Striker Timmy Thiele was able to play despite a head injury sustained in a collision during training on Thursday. Wollitz fielded two new signings, Henry Rorig and Tolcay Cigerci, in his starting lineup in front of 12,596 spectators.
Goalkeeper error leads to lead
Energie Cottbus initially focused on defense and allowed Bielefeld plenty of possession. However, the visitors failed to create any clear-cut chances. Instead, Phil Halbauer scored his goal thanks to a goalkeeper error by Bielefeld's Jonas Kersken, who let the low shot slip through.
Cottbus then relied on quick counter-attacks. Tolcay Cigerci had two chances to extend the lead at the start of the second half, despite the heavy rain. In the 61st minute, a shot from Bielefeld's Kaito Mizuta hit the crossbar, and shortly after, Tolcay Cigerci (62.) hit the post again.
After Louis Oppie (68.) equalized for Bielefeld, they pushed for the winning goal and hit the woodwork twice more before Maximilian Großer finally scored the winner in added time.
The following rule change could be implemented following Wollitz's suspension: Another coach will need to take charge of Energie Cottbus against Dynamo Dresden.
In an attempt to regain the lead, Energie Cottbus decided to add: More aggressive pressing and modifying their defense strategy for their next match.
