Intense comeback: FC Köln relinquishes 3-goal advantage within first 15 minutes.
Hertha BSC experiences a disastrous afternoon in 2. Bundesliga, getting hammered 4-1 at home by Elversberg. 1. FC Köln also struggles, leading Karlsruhe 3-0 after 15 minutes but failing to secure a win.
1. FC Köln - Karlsruher SC 4:4 (4:2)
After an explosive start, 1. FC Köln drops another potential win in a wild eight-goal spectacle. Despite scoring thrice in the first 15 minutes, the defensively erratic Bundesliga relegated side could only manage a 4-4 (4:2) draw against undefeated Karlsruher SC, leaving them eight points behind league leaders Fortuna Düsseldorf. KSC refused to give up and is now third due to Marvin Wanitzek's hat-trick.
The match kicked off at a fast pace due to a delayed start caused by dust. In recent weeks, including their last game against Düsseldorf, Köln had failed to convert numerous chances into goals. However, this time they took advantage of their first opportunities, scoring clinically: Luca Waldschmidt (3') hammered the ball into the top corner from a tight angle, Damion Downs (7') slotted it past KSC goalkeeper Max Weiß's legs, and added a perfect curler (15').
Leart Paqarada provided three assists, Karneval songs filled the air, and it seemed the top game on Sunday was decided early - but not so for KSC! They swiftly recovered and retaliated twice through their captain Wanitzek (19'/27'). The game remained tense, and the first half had not ended yet: Fabian Schleusener headed onto the crossbar for Karlsruhe (41'), Tim Lemperle (45+2') made it 4-2 after another Paqarada assist. The madness continued in the second half with Leon Jensen (52') bringing Karlsruhe back into the game, and Wanitzek scored his third goal (55'). Köln struggled to defend, conceding eight goals in three games. Both teams appeared drained afterwards, dealing with the constant rollercoaster ride.
Hertha BSC - SV Elversberg 1:4 (0:2)
Hertha BSC missed out on promotion spots with a justifiable defeat against SV Elversberg. The ambitious Berlin club lost 1:4 (0:2) to the dominant visitors and suffered their third home defeat in four games. Semih Sahin scored from a penalty (4') and a free-kick (65'), Luca Schnellbacher (30') and Muhammed Damar (52') added goals for the guests. Mickaël Cuisance (60') scored for the hosts, who are now only one point ahead of Elversberg. The only positive for Berlin was 16-year-old Boris Lum becoming the youngest player in Hertha's history.
Elversberg-Coach Horst Steffen initially praised his team's courageous performance, which he had demanded after the 1:3 defeat against promoted Ulm. Hertha attempted in vain to take control and shift the game into the opposition's half. The Berliners seemed devoid of ideas and unable to devise solutions to breach Elversberg's defense. It was only when defeat seemed inevitable that the Berliners seemed to awaken. Striker Cuisance rallied his teammates and briefly instilled hope in the home fans. However, after a handball by Hertha's Luca Schuler, Sahin converted another penalty and sealed the victory at the Olympiastadion.
Hannover 96 - 1. FC Nuremberg 2:0 (0:0)
Miroslav Klose's 1. FC Nuremberg suffered another setback, losing 0:2 (0:0) to Hannover 96 after a rapid double strike within 104 seconds. This is their fourth defeat in seven games. Marcel Halstenberg's penalty (79') and Monju Momuluh's goal (81') secured the hosts' fourth consecutive home win.
Klose gave four newcomers a chance in the starting lineup after the 0:2 loss to Hertha BSC, including Mahir Emreli, who tested Hannover's Ron-Robert Zieler within 17 seconds. Thereafter, Nuremberg, playing a back three under Klose's instructions, primarily focused on defense, effectively containing the dominant hosts. In the second half, Nuremberg managed to open up the game with some frequency, but Hannover continued to have the better chances. Jan Reichert in the Nuremberg goal made several noteworthy saves, just as he had in the first half. The defeat was eventually orchestrated by Janni Serra, who accidentally brought down Andreas Voglsammer in the penalty area.
In the 2. Bundesliga, 1. FC Köln and Hertha BSC had contrasting experiences with their soccer matches. While Köln dropped a potential win in a thrilling 4-4 draw against Karlsruher SC, Hertha suffered a 1-4 defeat at home to Elversberg, their third loss in four games at their own stadium.
