Tripped Up
(article updated Saturday, August 20, 23:35 CET)
Munich - TSV 1860 Munich's winning streak found its end in Düsseldorf, as the Lions suffered a 3-1 defeat against Fortuna. We all knew that it would be a tough test for the Bavarians and indeed it was. 1860 could not gain their fifth win in a row in all the competitions because their opponents proved themselves simply better on their home field. Thanks to this win the hosting team was able to equal their record of consecutive home games without a defeat, 17 precisely, a feat they managed to accomplish in 2009/2010 as well.
Munich's head coach Reiner Maurer hoped to line up the same starting eleven as last week's, and Daniel Bierofka's recovery humoured his wish. So the 4-4-2 was confirmed and Bierofka played once again as central midfielder, while the quick Daniel Halfar and Stefan Aigner were demanded to create difficulties to the opponent on the flanks. The forward duo was formed as usual by Benny Lauth and Kevin Volland.
Right from the start Munich proved not be the same team we admired in the last two weeks, while Fortuna pushed and created many difficulties to the Bavarian defense, especially to 1860's left side. The home side almost gained the lead in the 7th and 8th minute, but Maximilian Beister and Sascha Rösler were not able to convert their huge chances. The lucky escape did not urge the Lions, who instead had to face more insisting attacks by the hosting team.
The well deserved lead was reached by Fortuna in the 28th minute, as Munich's left defender Arne Feick could not contain Beister's sweeping run and in the end was forced to foul him in 1860's box. A penalty was rightly awarded and Rösler could score from the spot. The game continued with the long ball possession by Fortuna, but Maurer's men had their chance to reach the equalizer in the 33rd minute, as Halfar's attempt from 15 meters landed directly in the arms of Düsseldorf's goalkeeper Michael Ratajczak.
After the half-time break there was immediately a shock for Munich, as Fortuna's captain Andreas Lambertz entered TSV's box undisturbed after a quick one-two with Thomas Bröker and did not fail to score from around ten meters. Only 18 seconds had gone from the restart of the match.
This early goal simply killed all Lions' ambitions to bring home at least one point. Maurer's men seemed in fact resigned and Fortuna took advantage of that by scoring their third goal in the 67th minute. Goal scorer was in this occasion Maximilian Beister, who was able to put the ball under the bar from a very difficult position.
The game had in practice nothing else to offer. The three points were by this time assured for the home side, while Munich only had a chance with Benny Lauth, but his attempt went close to the post. Then in the 85th minute an ingenuous foul by Karim Aouadhi caused a penalty, which was scored by Lauth, his third goal of the young season.
Next Sunday 1860 will have the chance to redeem themselves at home, as they will host Union Berlin (kick off at 13:30). For sure we cannot talk about a reappraisal of Munich's promotion ambitions. Every team can live with a loss at Düsseldorf, we also cannot forget that TSV were able to destroy Cottbus, another side which will fight for a promotion spot. Surely it will not be a formality next week, because the Berlin team proved to be in form as well, as they beat at home Bochum, also involved in the promotion battle.
Greuther Fürth unstoppable - A Bavarian derby was scheduled over the weekend, as Fürth hosted FC Ingolstadt, a team which still was looking for their first win in the season. This coveted victory did not come in North Bavaria, as Greuther easily defeated Ingolstadt 3-0.
The home side's lead already arrived in the 9th minute, as the Canadian international Oliver Occean converted from inside the box. Ingolstadt continued to remain passive on the pitch, allowing Greuther to score twice more - in the 53rd minute thanks to Christopher Nöthe and in the 74th minute thanks to Felix Klaus.
End result was then 3-0 for Michael Büskens' side. Will Fürth finally be able to get the much desired promotion, or are they destined to offer the same old story to their fans, breaking down in the last part of the season and consequently let their dreams abrupt vanish?
