Troubled striker leads Hertha to a resounding victory

After three draws, Hertha BSC once again managed a win in the 2nd Bundesliga - and what a win it was. SV Elversberg, who have been promoted, have to suffer under Florian Niederlechner in particular. Paderborn managed to beat Hannover late on, while Karlsruhe and Rostock suffered a turbulent draw.

SC Paderborn - Hannover 96 1:0 (0:0)

SC Paderborn remain Hannover 96's opponents to fear as the club from Lower Saxony failed to win their ninth clash with the East Westphalians, losing 1-0 (0-0) after being outnumbered for 70 minutes. It was the first defeat in the 2nd division in three games for 96, who missed out on moving up to sixth place.

Hannover's Louis Schaub was shown the red card early on for rough play (20'). Referee Robin Braun had initially shown a yellow card after Schaub's open-soled challenge on Marcel Hoffmeier on the touchline, but was changed by the TV images. Florent Muslija (90+1) scored late on for SCP to secure their first win after two tough defeats.

Paderborn coach Lukas Kwasniok, who had extended his contract until 2025 during the week, reacted to the recent defeats by making seven changes compared to the 4-1 loss in Elversberg. At 23.79 years of age, the SCP fielded the youngest starting eleven in its second division history and started boldly.

Kai Klefisch (2) hit the crossbar with his head. After the sending off, Paderborn became increasingly superior with debutants Pelle Boevink in goal and striker Moritz Flotho, but lacked pace and creativity in attack. The hosts increasingly took more risks in the second half. However, Florent Muslija (47) and Sebastian Klaas (61) missed good chances. At the other end, Fabian Kunze (78) had a rare opportunity for the visitors, but allowed himself one hook too many.

Karlsruher SC - Hansa Rostock 2:2 (1:2)

Karlsruher SC and Hansa Rostock remain at the bottom of the table. On matchday 15, the team from Baden overturned a 2-0 deficit and drew 2-2 (1-2) with Rostock, who are level on points. Junior Brumado (16) and Damian Roßbach (34) gave Rostock the lead. Igor Matanovic (45) and top joker Budu Siwsiwadse (81) ensured the final score.

The 23,159 spectators at Wildpark saw a match without any real highlights in the first quarter of an hour. The defensive lines on both sides had everything under control. The first chance of the match led to Rostock taking the lead through Brumado. Ten minutes later, Kai Pröger almost increased the visitors' lead, but goalkeeper Patrick Drewes saved for KSC. A little later, Roßbach did better. Matanovic brought the hosts back into the game shortly before the break.

KSC pressed for an equalizer at the start of the second half. Rostock remained dangerous on the counter-attack, with Pröger again testing Drewes (57'). Five minutes later, Matanovic should have equalized after a mistake by Roßbach, but the striker missed miserably.

Shortly afterwards, KSC were lucky when Brumado's goal was disallowed after a video review due to a previous foul (63'). The decision by referee Deniz Aytekin (Oberasbach) was controversial. In the 72nd minute, Roßbach missed a great chance to score Hansa's third goal. At the other end, Siwsiwadse poked the ball over the line.

Hertha BSC - SV Elversberg 5:1 (2:1)

Relegated Hertha BSC are still on the rise. The Berliners won furiously 5:1 (2:1) against promoted SV Elversberg and jumped into the top half of the table after three draws in a row. SVE, on the other hand, failed to make contact with the promotion places.

Linus Gechter (13'), Florian Niederlechner (24', 61', 67') with a treble and Jonjoe Kenny (71') scored in sub-zero temperatures at Berlin's Olympic Stadium to secure victory for the hosts, who moved up to eighth place with 21 points. Elversberg, for whom Thore Jacobsen (15) scored the equalizer in between, are three points ahead.

The Saarland side, who started the season strongly, got into the game better, with an early goal from Bayern loanee Paul Wanner (4') being taken back due to a handball. The Berliners continued to struggle defensively after that, but Gechter scored out of nowhere after a long throw-in to take the lead.

But the visitors replied promptly, Jacobsen scoring with a long-range shot. An open exchange of blows ensued and Niederlechner, who had previously scored just two goals in the league, scored from close range. After the break, Hertha turned up the heat within ten minutes.