FC Ingolstadt, who have already confirmed their status as league-leaders at Christmas, further extended their lead at the summit in the top of the table clash on matchday 17. Ingolstadt’s lead over fifth-placed 1. FC Kaiserslautern is now eight points after their 2-0 triumph against FCK. FC St. Pauli lie in bottom place following their 1-0 loss to SV Darmstadt 98, while the new boys move up three places. 1. FC Nürnberg ran out 2-1 winners away to VfR Aalen to record their second successive victory.
After a lively start to the game in Ingolstadt, the visitors from Kaiserslautern, who came into the game on the back of two straight wins, looked the better side and created the better chances against the league’s second-best defence prior to the opening goal. Srdjan Lakic and Amin Younes were both denied by FCI shot-stopper Ramazan Özcan in the first half. There was little action in either box towards the end of the half.
The ‘Schanzer’ made a significantly better start to the second half and opened the scoring through goalscorer Lukas Hinterseer, who bundled the ball home from close range following a Pascal Groß free kick. The Red Devils seemed shocked and Amin Younes was forced into an early shower after picking up his second booking. Ingolstadt pushed for a second goal with the man advantage – and it came from Stefan Lex after an error from Dominique Heintz. FCI now have a six-point lead over the playoff place of third.
Late blow for St. Pauli - Füllkrug puts FCN back on track
Everything pointed towards a goalless afternoon at Millientor from the off. Chances in the clash between the second from bottom side and surprise new boys were few and far between. An injury-stricken St. Pauli sat back and let Darmstadt dictate the game. Only in the second half could the Eagles pose a threat to the Hamburg-based side’s goal, and that was only through high balls. Aytac Suli’s headed effort went narrowly wide. Pauli’s Sebastian Schachten came to the rescue for the hosts half-way though the second period. The hosts were hoping for a lucky break in the final minutes, but Fabian Holland struck following a Lasse Sobiech mistake to secure his side’s first away win of the season and lift Darmstadt up to third.
Nürnberg could play catch up in the second half of the season. The 2-1 win in Aalen was not only points seven to nine in their fourth outing under new manager René Weiler. FCN now climb to ninth place with 23 points on board, while Stefan Ruthenbeck’s side remain in 15th after the defeat, which comes after they secured two straight wins.
Forward Niclas Füllkrug headed the visitors in front early on with the first chance of note . FCN then sat back and defended well and Aalen lacked ideas. The guests then seemed to have the game wrapped up with a second from Füllkrug, but Jürgen Gjasula converted from the spot for the hosts to ensure an enthralling finale. The hosts pushed for a point at the least but were not rewarded. Nürnberg’s Dave Bulthuis was shown a second yellow in added time.
FC Ingolstadt, who have already confirmed their status as league-leaders at Christmas, further extended their lead at the summit in the top of the table clash on matchday 17. Ingolstadt’s lead over fifth-placed 1. FC Kaiserslautern is now eight points after their 2-0 triumph against FCK. FC St. Pauli lie in bottom place following their 1-0 loss to SV Darmstadt 98, while the new boys move up three places. 1. FC Nürnberg ran out 2-1 winners away to VfR Aalen to record their second successive victory.
After a lively start to the game in Ingolstadt, the visitors from Kaiserslautern, who came into the game on the back of two straight wins, looked the better side and created the better chances against the league’s second-best defence prior to the opening goal. Srdjan Lakic and Amin Younes were both denied by FCI shot-stopper Ramazan Özcan in the first half. There was little action in either box towards the end of the half.
The ‘Schanzer’ made a significantly better start to the second half and opened the scoring through goalscorer Lukas Hinterseer, who bundled the ball home from close range following a Pascal Groß free kick. The Red Devils seemed shocked and Amin Younes was forced into an early shower after picking up his second booking. Ingolstadt pushed for a second goal with the man advantage – and it came from Stefan Lex after an error from Dominique Heintz. FCI now have a six-point lead over the playoff place of third.
Late blow for St. Pauli - Füllkrug puts FCN back on track
Everything pointed towards a goalless afternoon at Millientor from the off. Chances in the clash between the second from bottom side and surprise new boys were few and far between. An injury-stricken St. Pauli sat back and let Darmstadt dictate the game. Only in the second half could the Eagles pose a threat to the Hamburg-based side’s goal, and that was only through high balls. Aytac Suli’s headed effort went narrowly wide. Pauli’s Sebastian Schachten came to the rescue for the hosts half-way though the second period. The hosts were hoping for a lucky break in the final minutes, but Fabian Holland struck following a Lasse Sobiech mistake to secure his side’s first away win of the season and lift Darmstadt up to third.
Nürnberg could play catch up in the second half of the season. The 2-1 win in Aalen was not only points seven to nine in their fourth outing under new manager René Weiler. FCN now climb to ninth place with 23 points on board, while Stefan Ruthenbeck’s side remain in 15th after the defeat, which comes after they secured two straight wins.
Forward Niclas Füllkrug headed the visitors in front early on with the first chance of note . FCN then sat back and defended well and Aalen lacked ideas. The guests then seemed to have the game wrapped up with a second from Füllkrug, but Jürgen Gjasula converted from the spot for the hosts to ensure an enthralling finale. The hosts pushed for a point at the least but were not rewarded. Nürnberg’s Dave Bulthuis was shown a second yellow in added time.
