Germany U21 internationals Willi Orban and Philipp Hofmann were on target during 1. FC Kaiserslautern's 4-0 victory over 1. FC Heidenheim. Orban opened the scoring in the fifth minute following a corner kick, while substitute Hofmann supplied the final touch (86') as Kaiserslautern impressively underlined their ambitions to finish in the top 3. Karim Matmour (43') and Mateusz Klich (78') provided the other goals in a deserved victory for FCK.
Kaiserslautern (49 points) are now level on points with table toppers FC Ingolstadt, who host FSV Frankfurt on Sunday. Heidenheim (34 points) remain ninth for the time being.
The other Saturday game on matchday 27 in the 2. Bundesliga saw SpVgg Greuther Fürth lose 2-1 at home to Eintracht Braunschweig. Fürth were reduced to ten men early on, as Marco Caligiuri brought down Havard Nielsen with a professional foul just seven minutes into the match. But the hosts showed spirit and took the lead through Robert Zulj (28') – ending a run of seven consecutive home games in which Fürth failed to score a goal. However, celebrations stopped abruptly shortly afterwards; three minutes later the teams were back on level terms thanks to Stefan Thesker’s own goal (31'). The second half remained a heavily contested encounter but Braunschweig eventually gained the upper hand, with Ken Reichel (79') bagging the winner following a brilliant assist by Benjamin Kessel.
The victory sees Braunschweig (41 points) come within four points of third place ahead of Sunday's games, while Fürth (29 points) remain in immediate relegation danger.
Germany U21 internationals Willi Orban and Philipp Hofmann were on target during 1. FC Kaiserslautern's 4-0 victory over 1. FC Heidenheim. Orban opened the scoring in the fifth minute following a corner kick, while substitute Hofmann supplied the final touch (86') as Kaiserslautern impressively underlined their ambitions to finish in the top 3. Karim Matmour (43') and Mateusz Klich (78') provided the other goals in a deserved victory for FCK.
Kaiserslautern (49 points) are now level on points with table toppers FC Ingolstadt, who host FSV Frankfurt on Sunday. Heidenheim (34 points) remain ninth for the time being.
The other Saturday game on matchday 27 in the 2. Bundesliga saw SpVgg Greuther Fürth lose 2-1 at home to Eintracht Braunschweig. Fürth were reduced to ten men early on, as Marco Caligiuri brought down Havard Nielsen with a professional foul just seven minutes into the match. But the hosts showed spirit and took the lead through Robert Zulj (28') – ending a run of seven consecutive home games in which Fürth failed to score a goal. However, celebrations stopped abruptly shortly afterwards; three minutes later the teams were back on level terms thanks to Stefan Thesker’s own goal (31'). The second half remained a heavily contested encounter but Braunschweig eventually gained the upper hand, with Ken Reichel (79') bagging the winner following a brilliant assist by Benjamin Kessel.
The victory sees Braunschweig (41 points) come within four points of third place ahead of Sunday's games, while Fürth (29 points) remain in immediate relegation danger.
