Enlarge image
Cheering at the start: Fürth's new coach Alexander Zorniger
Photo:
IMAGO/Sportfoto Zink / Melanie Zink / IMAGO/Zink
At the start of the 14th match day, the focus was on the basement duel between SpVgg Greuther Fürth and Arminia Bielefeld.
The two Bundesliga relegated teams have had a disastrous season so far, but everything should get better at Fürth under new coach Alexander Zorniger.
And at least on Friday night, the change of coach seemed to help.
The Franks won 1-0 (1-0) and are currently in 16th place in the table.
Bielefeld, on the other hand, slipped to last place.
In the parallel game, 1. FC Magdeburg and 1. FC Heidenheim drew 1-1 (0-1).
Heidenheim is fourth, Magdeburg is currently in 15th place.
Zorniger, whose last Bundesliga station was VfB Stuttgart in 2015, switched from a back four to a back three, but the Fürth game was initially unable to stimulate this measure.
And because Bielefeld, despite the 2-0 win against 1. FC St. Pauli last week, only played with little enthusiasm, a tough game developed.
Nevertheless, the Franconians took the lead and the goal suited the game: Bielefeld couldn't get the ball away, Fürth's Branimir Hrgota got the shot, but his attempt was blocked.
The ball then landed in front of Armindo Sieb's feet, who scored his first goal of the season from just a few meters away (30th minute).
As a result, Fürth was the better team with clearer opportunities.
A three-minute break in the game, which became necessary because referee Felix Brych injured his knee slightly and disappeared briefly into the dressing room, couldn't change that (37').
In the second half, Bielefeld continued to struggle despite many changes and did not create any clear chances.
Fürth managed the narrow lead and gave his new coach a successful debut.
Magdeburg had the ball a lot, but couldn't do anything with it.
Unlike Heidenheim, who countered again and again, but initially acted too imprecisely.
In the 23rd minute, coach Frank Schmidt's team did better.
Jan-Niklas Beste captured the ball on the left wing, crossed inwards, where Tim Kleindienst placed it on Denis Thomalla, who was completely free and who safely converted (23').
Even after that, Heidenheim remained much more dangerous.
Almost nothing came from Magdeburg offensively – until the third minute of stoppage time.
Substitute Tatsuya Ito equalized with the first Magdeburg shot on goal.
kyo