DSC Bielefeld Arminia Bielefeld - FCE FC Energie FC Energie Cottbus

DSC

FCE

23'

SchücoArena

Florian Lechner

20'

It won't stand!

Bielefeld have the ball in the back of the net - but it won't count. Following a cross from Koudossou, Grodowski heads home, but the forward was in an offside position when the ball was played to him. It remains 0-0.

20'

SituationNo goal

ReviewOffside?

DecisionNo goal

19'

Cross doesn't find the target

Mehlem's delivery lands at Energie's Doumbia, who has no problem clearing. The quality of the final ball has been lacking so far here.

16'

No danger

The cross lands on the head of Bielefeld's Mehlem. Incidentally, it almost becomes dangerous on the counter-attack for Arminia, but the visitors get back to recover in time.

15'

Free-kick from the left

Can Energie threaten the Bielefeld goal?

Woodwork!

Sicker's corner finds Großer, who glances it wide of the left post with the back of his head.

Third corner for Bielefeld

Will it get dangerous now?

Bielefeld starting strongly

The hosts have started on the front foot here, forcing Cottbus to initially focus on their defensive shape.

Body in the way

Inside the penalty area, Russo receives the ball with some space after a lay-off. Erlein manages to block the shot just in time.

And we're off!

It's hosts Bielefeld who kick things off here.

Kick-off!

Milestone

For Guttau, today marks his first Bundesliga 2 appearance.

More on that Cottbus team

For the hosts, the injured Engelhardt is replaced. Zaydan, Manu and Boziaris rotate out of the starting eleven following their 3-1 win against Hannover. Coming in are Doumbia (pictured), Pelivan, Kinsombi and Guttau.

More on that Bielefeld team

Following their 2-1 defeat against Karlsruhe, Kirch makes changes in two positions. Schreck and Handwerker (pictured) are on the bench, with Mehlem and Sicker coming into the starting eleven.

Starting line-up: FC Energie Cottbus

Formation:4-2-3-1

Cottbus subs

Kratzsch, Campulka, Malone, Zaydan, Hofmann, Borgmann, Wardak, Hannemann, Butler

Starting line-up: DSC Arminia Bielefeld

Formation:4-5-1

Bielefeld subs

Oppermann, Hildesheim, Felix, Handwerker, Schreck, Boakye, Wegener, Uldrikis, Young

Claus-Dieter Wollitz on facing Bielefeld

"The fact is that they are a good side. They play a good 4-3-3 with two good box-to-box midfielders who are very well organised. They have very good principles and structures, very good one-on-one players in the half-spaces and good attacking full-backs. They are very modern and quick to recognise when they can transition with maximum intensity. We have a few challenges ahead of us, but challenges are there to help you grow. We are here to stay and if we want to stay, we need to get some positive results."

Oliver Kirch on facing Cottbus

"I am absolutely delighted about the first home match. Our end is sold out. We also trained here in the stadium to get the coaching staff up to speed with the routines and to familiarise ourselves with the conditions. We want to take the stadium along with us through our performance on the pitch. I know that will be reciprocated directly from the stands. Our plan is to win the match over to our side straight away. I believe every fan is fired up again to watch Arminia play second division football in the stadium. That is why I am very much looking forward to it."

Long-term injury

Cottbus' Erik Engelhardt suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury during training and will therefore be out of action for several months.

Good omen for visitors?

Cottbus' last away victory at second-tier level came on 23 March 2014 - against Arminia Bielefeld. The east German side triumphed 3-1 that day, but both clubs ended up slipping into the third division.

2:13

Watch: Karlsruhe 2-1 Arminia Bielefeld - last time out

Bielefeld were beaten at Karslruhe's BBBank Wildpark on Matchday 1, courtesy of Moritz Broschinski's double for the hosts. Substitute Marvin Mehlem managed to halve the deficit for Arminia, but there was no way back for the visitors.

2:14

Watch: Energie Cottbus 3-1 Hannover - last time out

Cottbus announced their return to Bundesliga 2 in some style, beating promotion hopefuls Hannover in their opening game of the new season. Tolcay Ciğerci struck either side of half-time for the home side.

Arminia Bielefeld 0-2 Energie Cottbus - previous meeting

These sides haven't met in Bundesliga 2 since March 2014, but their last competitive meeting in January 2025 ended in a 2-0 victory for Cottbus at the SchücoArena. Bielefeld still managed to finish the 2024/25 season as 3. Liga champions.

Hello and welcome!

Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this Matchday 2 fixture between Arminia Bielefeld and Energie Cottbus.

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