“You can kiss God there” – Darmstadt’s unbelievable series lasts
Darmstadt 98 is making great strides toward returning to the Bundesliga. The Hessians also won in Rostock and remained unbeaten for the 20th time in a row. To win, however, it took a premiere from top scorer Tietz.
Dhe SV Darmstadt 98 has continued its impressive run of success in the second division. The 1-0 (0-0) win at Hansa Rostock was the 20th unbeaten game in a row for the leaders from Hessen. With his eighth goal of the season in the 78th minute, Phillip Tietz secured victory for coach Torsten Lieberknecht’s team, which is now ten points ahead of the relegation place.
“It was a very heated, intense game. Hansa Rostock was the much better team in the first half. And that we still pull that … You can kiss the good Lord there,” said goalscorer Tietz: “But being unbeaten in 20 games is a strong achievement, yes.”
Darmstadt needed a long time to find his rhythm but left the pitch as a deserved winner. The “relieved” Lieberknecht saw it that way on “Sky”. With “luck and skill” his team survived the first half. “There was a lot of pressure on the boiler.” Rostock’s midfielder Kai Pröger struggled: “We gradually let ourselves be pushed in. Darmstadt did well.” It was the third defeat in the fourth game in the second half of the season for Mecklenburg.
Referee Alexander Sather interrupted the game for more than five minutes in the early stages because massive amounts of pyrotechnics were being burned off in the Rostock fan corner. After the smoke had cleared in the sold-out Ostseestadion with 25,200 spectators, the hosts looked for their chances. After a long ball from Ryan Malone, Svante Ingelsson penetrated the Darmstadt penalty area in the 22nd minute, but was separated from the ball fairly by a successful effort by Jannik Müller. Kevin Schumacher missed Mecklenburg’s lead when his long-range shot went just wide of the goal (35′).
Waiting for clarity: The game was interrupted in Rostock due to heavy smoke
Source: dpa/Marcus Völker
Kolke annoys Darmstadt 98
The guests from Hesse had a hard time being the favorites. Only in the seven-minute overtime of the first half did the first dangerous situation arise. The strong Mathias Honsak found his master in the well-parried Hansa keeper Markus Kolke (45 + 2). “He’s one of the best goalkeepers in the league,” praised goalscorer Tietz.
In the second half, the visitors gradually took control. After a Honsack preparation, Marvin Mehlem put the ball on the crossbar (54th). After that, Frank Ronstadt (56′, 72′), Tietz (63′, 70′) and Keanan Bennetts (73′) missed further good opportunities. With his outstanding free-kick hit from the edge of the penalty area, however, Tietz put the Lilies on the road to victory. “The first in my career,” said the goalscorer proudly.
