Hamburger SV achieved a much-needed 3:1 victory against Karlsruher SC following a coaching change, moving up to second place in the 2. Bundesliga. Jean-Luc Dompé shone with two goals and an assist. In other matches, 1. FC Nürnberg and Fortuna Düsseldorf drew 2:2, while SpVgg Greuther Fürth settled for a 1:1 draw with SSV Ulm, leaving both teams in precarious positions near the relegation zone.
Hamburger SV Triumphs After Coaching Change
After parting ways with coach Steffen Baumgart, Hamburger SV has finally broken free from its recent slump, securing a 3:1 victory over Karlsruher SC. This win catapults HSV from eighth to second place in the 2. Bundesliga standings. The match showcased an invigorated Hamburg side, highlighted by Jean-Luc Dompé, who netted two goals (23rd minute and 56th minute) and assisted Davie Selke’s goal (87th minute). The equalizer for KSC came from Fabian Schleusener in the 36th minute.
Interim coach Merlin Polzin implemented an aggressive 4-3-3 formation, which proved advantageous for the team after five matches without a win. However, speculation suggests that the 34-year-old may soon be replaced by a new head coach, with Bruno Labbadia, a former coach of the club, being the frontrunner for the position ahead of the upcoming match against SV Darmstadt 98.
At the packed stadium with 31,845 attendees, HSV dominated early on, although Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer squandered two significant opportunities to score (9th and 23rd minutes). Karlsruher SC improved their performance, equalizing and nearly taking the lead right after halftime, but a goal by Marvin Wanitzek was ruled out in the 49th minute. Even after falling behind 1:2, KSC faced misfortune when Bambasé Conté hit the crossbar (57th minute). The match remained an intense back-and-forth until the decisive third goal for Hamburg.
1. FC Nürnberg and Fortuna Düsseldorf Share the Spoils
In a gripping encounter, 1. FC Nürnberg and Fortuna Düsseldorf played to a 2:2 draw, leaving both traditional clubs in a winless streak that extends to four matches. Despite their struggles, the promotion spots are within reach, with Düsseldorf just one point away and Nürnberg four points adrift. Fortuna recently secured a long-term contract extension for coach Daniel Thioune, while pressure mounts on Miroslav Klose at FCN.
In front of 36,111 fans, Nürnberg took an early lead with Finn Jeltsch’s header goal (16th minute) from a corner. Despite Nürnberg’s dominance, they could not extend their lead before halftime. The second half brought a whirlwind of events, including a controversial penalty awarded to Nürnberg after VAR intervention, which was initially based on a misjudged handball call. Fortuna equalized through Isak Bergmann Johannesson via penalty (67th minute), following a foul on him.
Fortuna ramped up the pressure, but goalkeeper Jan Reichert made a spectacular save to deny Giovanni Haag (76th minute). Eventually, Stefanos Tzimas managed to lob the ball over the Fortuna goalkeeper to give Nürnberg a late lead (85th minute). Yet, in a dramatic twist, an own goal from Julian Justvan in the final moments (90th minute) ensured a share of the points for Düsseldorf.
SpVgg Greuther Fürth Held to Draw by SSV Ulm
SpVgg Greuther Fürth missed a vital opportunity to escape the relegation zone, settling for a 1:1 draw against promoted side SSV Ulm. Currently sitting in 13th place, Fürth remains just two points above Ulm, who have now drawn five consecutive matches and are in the relegation spot.
The match was heavily influenced by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), which played a key role in determining a disputed hand penalty converted by Julian Green for Fürth (16th minute). Ulm equalized just before halftime with Semir Telalovic scoring from the spot after a foul by Maximilian Dietz (45+1 minute). Fürth’s goalkeeper Nahuel Noell managed to get a hand to the penalty but let the ball slip through.
Conditions were challenging at the icy Donaustadion, resulting in limited scoring chances during the first half, which saw nearly nine minutes of stoppage time. Referee Patrick Schwengers took considerable time to consult VAR for pivotal handball decisions, and the second half offered little in terms of clear opportunities for both teams.