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Ulm Starts Strong in 2. Bundesliga Clash Against Düsseldorf, But Visitors Take Control and Win
In their 2. Bundesliga encounter, Ulm initially managed to contain Düsseldorf, but the visitors eventually gained the upper hand, scoring twice in quick succession. Despite Miroslav Klose's coaching at 1. FC Nürnberg and FC Schalke both settling for draws.
SSV Ulm - Fortuna Düsseldorf 1:2 (1:0)
Düsseldorf came out victorious in their 2. Bundesliga clash against newly promoted SSV Ulm, winning 2-1. After their surprising cup exit against Dynamo Dresden, Daniel Thioune's ambitious team snatched a fortunate win, missing an opportunity to lead the table. The winless sparrows missed a chance for their first second-tier victory in 23 years.
Felix Higl scored from the penalty spot for Ulm in the 41st minute. Dzenan Pejcinovic equalized for Düsseldorf in the 81st minute with a rebound after a penalty. Just 76 seconds later, Danny Schmidt put Düsseldorf ahead, now boasting seven points from three games.
Thioune urged his team to improve, saying, "We need to show a different side." They were able to rely on the presence of Dawid Kownacki, on loan from Bremen. The Polish striker quickly found his rhythm, just missing twice in the first half.
After falling behind, Düsseldorf pressed for an equalizer but struggled initially. Felix Klaus had a lucky escape when his shot hit the post and bounced back into play in the 70th minute. However, Düsseldorf managed to turn the game around in the closing moments.
SV Darmstadt 98 - 1. FC Nürnberg 1:1 (1:0)
SV Darmstadt 98 is still finding their feet in the league and have struggled in their season start. Despite taking the lead, they could only manage a 1:1 draw against 1. FC Nürnberg. After two opening defeats, the lilies have just one point. Swedish newcomer Isac Lidberg put the Hessians ahead in the 23rd minute. Nürnberg and Klose, their coach, celebrated a brilliant goal from substitute Michal Sevcik in the 62nd minute.
"2. Bundesliga is tough, and we're not your typical relegated side," said Darmstadt coach Torsten Lieberknecht before the game on Sky. "We're in transition, but we haven't been completely clueless in our first games."
In front of 17,600 spectators at the Stadion am Böllenfalltor, Darmstadt outplayed Nürnberg in the first half-hour. Killian Corredor missed the first prime opportunity, hitting the post (16th). Lidberg then didn't miss, and after a slow start, Nürnberg woke up, but Jens Castrop couldn't beat Darmstadt's keeper twice (36th/44th). The visitors had a poor start in the second half, with Darmstadt missed several opportunities. Sevcik scored spectacularly from distance just three minutes after coming on, saving the day for Nürnberg.
After a turnaround, Schalke continues to struggle regaining momentum. The Royal Blues, who fought against relegation for much of last season, drew 2:2 (1:2) against 1. FC Magdeburg, currently trailing the competition with just four points from three games.
French newcomer Moussa Sylla put the visitors ahead early in front of 27,146 spectators in the clash of former European Cup winners with his third goal of the season (8'). After a significant Schalke defensive error, Marcus Mathisen equalized (40'), and an own goal by Mehmet Aydin gave Düsseldorf the lead before halftime (45+3). Schalke captain Kenan Karaman secured a point for the Royal Blues (76').
Half a year after the disastrous 0:3 defeat of last season at the same venue, a dramatically changed Schalke team took the field, with only two players from that match in the starting lineup. However, the new team couldn't secure a win, as they lost control after a promising start and showed familiar defensive weaknesses.
According to Schalke, not all traveling fans reached the stadium. At Magdeburg-Herrenkrug station, the federal police took the details of 350 to 400 supporters, and the state police issued a ban on entering the stadium.
Despite their strong start in the 2. Bundesliga, SSV Ulm was unable to maintain their lead against Fortuna Düsseldorf, who eventually secured a 2-1 victory. In this second-tier league clash, Düsseldorf managed to move up to seventh position in the 2. Bundesliga standing, placing themselves one spot above the second football league.
