With a last-minute win, SpVgg Greuther Fürth dealt DFB Cup finalists 1. FC Kaiserslautern a severe blow in their fight against relegation from the second Bundesliga. The Fürth team ended their winless streak of the past few weeks on Friday evening with midfielder Robert Wagner’s second goal in stoppage time to make it 2-1 (0-1).
Before the break, the Lauterers were the better team and led by Marlon Ritter in front of over 15,000 spectators in the Ronhof sports park thanks to the 16th goal of the season from former Fürth player Ragnar Ache in the 18th minute. The Fürth team appeared transformed offensively in the second half and initially equalized to 1-1 through Wagner (62′).
With 29 points, the Lauterers remained second to last at the start of the 29th matchday and are therefore still in a direct relegation zone. Fürth, on the other hand, broke the 40-point mark. What was also bitter for the guests was that Julian Niehues was seriously injured in a duel shortly before the break. He had to leave the pitch with a bandaged knee.
FCK was lucky with Ache’s goal because there shouldn’t have been a corner before it. After the break, it was goalkeeper Robin Himmelmann who saved the cup finalists from defeat for a long time. He held up well several times against Tim Lemperle, Branimir Hrgota and Dennis Srbeny.
A slipped cross from the strong attacker Lemperle, who came on as a substitute at the break, hit the crossbar before Wagner’s winning goal (87th).
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Hertha BSC put in one of the best performances of the season in the explosive second division duel with Hansa Rostock and clinched their third win in the last four games. Coach Pal Dardai’s team won 4-0 (2-0) against relegation-threatened Rostock in the Berlin Olympic Stadium on Friday evening, who were supported by 20,000 traveling fans.
In front of a total of 62,177 spectators, Palko Dardai (18th, 59th minute), Fabian Reese with a hand penalty (31st) and Haris Tabakovic (86th) scored for the Berliners. Thanks to the success, the capital city club jumped to sixth place, at least temporarily. Nevertheless, Hertha only has a slim chance of promotion. Hansa is still deep in the relegation battle.
Because of the hostile relationship and the history between the two fan camps, the game was classified as a high-security game. According to a police spokesman, the situation in front of the stadium remained mostly calm. But even before kick-off, the Rostock team set off smoke bombs and firecrackers. Thick clouds of smoke delayed kick-off by several minutes.
