It’s all about six point margins. Leaders Köln have opened a six point gap at the top, and have one foot in the Bundesliga. By winning at 1860. It was a difficult match, as the hosts played decently, although of course they were crap when it counted, blowing chances. Köln was patient and seemed satisfied with a point, but then late decided to take their chance and end up with the win. Unless they completely fall apart, they should be back in the top flight, as their remaining schedule looks reasonable.
Greuther Fürth was able to defend their position with a hard fought draw in Hamburg. St.pauli needed the win and pressed, but after they took the lead, they were pegged back by Greuther counters in a quick one-two punch. The Paulistas did get a a split, but they really needed more to get back in the promotion race.
Paderborn put in a string performance at FSV Frankfurt and get an important win. This moves them even with Greuther Fürth and gives them a six point gap over 4th place. The Greuther have a superior goal difference, so that counts as a point in their favor. However in about 3 weeks Paderborn will host Fürth, and that should decidde the 2nd promotion spot.
Karslruhe and Lautern split the points in a hot match. Neither club had the edge, but for KSC, this pretty much ends any promotion hopes. FCK is still hanging on, but a six point gap is pretty big.
A big win for Bochum against Aue. The first half was very tentative on both sides, but the hosts came out strong after the restart and seized control. They ended up with a deserved win and help themselves in the relegation struggle – it gives them a six point bulge over the playoff spot.
Düsseldorf controlled the match but really couldn’t create much against Ingolstadt. They did create a couple of big chances, but blew them. As a result Fortuna still has to glance over their shoulder. Ingolstadt is now unbeaten in something like 11 straight road games, certainly part of the strength that moved them out of relegation.
Dresden again didn’t help themselves in a lame match against Sandhausen. Dynamo was the better team, but couldn’t really accomplish anything, remaining on the relegation bubble. The visitors did squat, but again, they didn’t have to and continue their impressive season. I don’t think anybody expected them to be this high in the table. They’ve basically done it with disciplined defense, not catenaccio, but good organization and playing within their means.
Bielefeld missed a chance and drops points again. Aalen was largely outplayed, but their GK was sharp. Arminia raised their game in the 2nd half, created some chances, but blew them. Aalen’s point keeps them nicely above the relegation zone, and thats all they’re concerned about right now.
On Monday, Union Berlin stopped their recent slide with a controlled win over Cottbus. Probably too late to do anything but act as a spoiler though. Energie isn’t dead yet, but it’s getting close to the Monty Python’s Holy Grail “Bring out your dead” skit…
Total attendance 191,685 (avg 21,298), sell out in Karlsruhe
Fortuna Düsseldorf - FC Ingolstadt 04 0:0 (0:0) 27,351
FC St. Pauli - SpVgg Greuther Fürth 2:2 (0:0) 28,087
1:0 Schachten (66.)
1:1 B. Röcker (75., Brosinski)
1:2 Azemi (78., Brosinski)
2:2 Thorandt (85., Gonther)
Dynamo Dresden - SV Sandhausen 0:0 (0:0) 25,153
VfL Bochum - Erzgebirge Aue 1:0 (0:0) 10,225
1:0 Sukuta-Pasu (50., Latza)
Karlsruher SC - 1. FC Kaiserslautern 2:2 (1:0) 27,600 *
1:0 Torres (26., G. Krebs)
1:1 Zoller (53., Dick)
1:2 Zoller (67., Orban)
2:2 Nazarov (89.)
FSV Frankfurt - SC Paderborn 07 1:3 (0:1) 4,532
0:1 Kachunga (17., Koc)
0:2 Saglik (52., Brückner)
0:3 Saglik (55., penalty, Hünemeier)
1:3 Bertels (79., own goal, M. Görlitz)
1860 München - 1. FC Köln 0:1 (0:0) 33,600
0:1 Finne (85., Brecko)
Arminia Bielefeld - VfR Aalen 0:0 (0:0) 13,137
Monday:
1. FC Union Berlin - Energie Cottbus 2:0 (1:0) 22,000
1:0 Brandy (28., Parensen)
2:0 Brandy (82., Quiring)
1 1. FC Köln 28 15 10 3 41:15 +26 55
2 SpVgg Greuther Fürth (A) 28 14 7 7 51:33 +18 49
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3 SC Paderborn 07 28 14 7 7 52:42 +10 49
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4 1. FC Kaiserslautern 28 12 7 9 41:29 +12 43
5 FC St. Pauli 28 12 7 9 36:34 +2 43
6 1. FC Union Berlin 28 11 9 8 41:34 +7 42
7 Karlsruher SC (N) 28 10 11 7 37:27 +10 41
8 SV Sandhausen 28 11 8 9 24:23 +1 41
9 1860 München 28 10 8 10 29:31 -2 38
10 FC Ingolstadt 04 28 9 8 11 28:30 -2 35
11 FSV Frankfurt 28 9 7 12 38:42 -4 34
12 VfR Aalen 28 8 10 10 26:33 -7 34
13 Erzgebirge Aue 28 9 7 12 34:42 -8 34
14 Fortuna Düsseldorf (A 28 8 10 10 27:38 -11 34
15 VfL Bochum 28 9 6 13 24:32 -8 33
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16 Dynamo Dresden 28 4 15 9 28:40 -12 27
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17 Arminia Bielefeld (N) 28 7 6 15 32:51 -19 27
18 Energie Cottbus 28 6 5 17 32:45 -13 23
1st line: Promotion to Bundesliga
2nd line: Playoff with 16th Bundesliga
3rd line: Playoff with no.3 of 3.Liga
4th line: Relegation to 3.Liga