Fortuna Düsseldorf showcased resilience in their 3-0 victory over bottom club Jahn Regensburg in the 2nd division. Despite a challenging match, Düsseldorf secured their fifth away win, maintaining their position at the top of the table. Goals from Tim Oberdorf, Dawid Kownacki, and Vincent Vermeij sealed the win, while Regensburg lamented their defensive weaknesses. Coach Daniel Thioune expressed satisfaction with the result, acknowledging the effort from the hosts, who struggled with their position in the league.
Fortuna Düsseldorf faced challenges in maintaining their lead in the 2nd division, with some tense moments against the brave bottom club Jahn Regensburg.
Tim Oberdorf, Dawid Kownacki, and Vincent Vermeij found the net in a convincing 3:0 (1:0) win for Düsseldorf, marking their fifth victory on the road and keeping them at the top of the league table. However, it took a while for the visitors to demonstrate their individual talent. Coach Daniel Thioune’s team, who had previously suffered a 0:3 defeat against Hamburger SV before the international break — ending a remarkable run of 21 consecutive second-division matches without a loss this season — managed to bounce back successfully.
On the flip side, Jahn Regensburg experienced their seventh defeat on matchday nine, leaving coach Joe Enochs’ squad with a concerning goal difference of 1:22. Despite not earning points, Jahn can take pride in their commendable performance.
Regensburg’s coach Enochs expressed mixed emotions following his team’s determined display: ‘The game was much closer than the result.’ Aside from a ‘tricky situation at the start’, he believed no team truly dominated: ‘It was an even game.’ He noted that the scoreline of 0:3 stemmed from both their defensive errors and Düsseldorf’s ability to capitalize on limited opportunities: ‘That’s what defines a top team. They score goals from a few chances.’
Düsseldorf’s coach Thioune echoed satisfaction, stating: ‘I’m thrilled with the away win. We certainly weren’t three goals better. One must be honest.’ He described the match as demanding, acknowledging the strong effort from Regensburg: ‘The opponent performed well.’ He compared it to a cup match, highlighting the contrast between top and bottom of the table. ‘They put everything into it, gave their all, but we had the momentum.’
Penalty for Düsseldorf Overturned
In a matchup that seemed straightforward on paper, Regensburg was competitive until the 7th minute when referee Lukas Benen initially awarded a penalty for an alleged foul in the Jahn area. However, after VAR review, he rescinded the decision. Louis Breunig had first touched the ball in a challenge with Kownacki before making contact with the Düsseldorfer.
This incident sparked a shift for Düsseldorf, who gradually began to establish control in the game, even though they occasionally faltered against a spirited Regensburg side. Although both teams struggled to create scoring chances, the nullified penalty remained the most significant moment until Oberdorf scored with a header off a corner from Isak Johannesson in the 44th minute, leaving Jahn players disheartened for a fleeting lapse in concentration.
Regensburg Seizes Their Moment, Düsseldorf Responds
Even at the start of the second half, Düsseldorf had not fully dominated Jahn. The absence of four key players (Hoffmann, Fridriksson, Gavory, and Haag) certainly impacted their performance level. However, Jahn appeared more daring and assertive, nearly leveling the match when Breunig’s close-range header was skillfully saved by Düsseldorf’s goalkeeper Florian Kastenmaier in the 61st minute. Meanwhile, Isak Johannesson struck the far right post with a shot in the 71st minute.
Kownacki Seals the Victory for Düsseldorf
As Regensburg started to tire, Kownacki solidified Düsseldorf’s win with a powerful goal from close range in the 81st minute. Vermeij then added another goal from the penalty spot in the 89th minute, following the dismissals of Leopold Wurm and Bryan Hein, leaving Jahn undermanned.
Upcoming Matches
Next, Jahn Regensburg will travel to Nuremberg for their match on October 25, 2024, at 18:30. In the top clash on Saturday, Fortuna Düsseldorf will host 1. FC Kaiserslautern at 20:30.