Bundesliga 2, Matchday 23: Schalke defend top spot with thrilling Magdeburg win
Schalke's 5-3 triumph over Magdeburg meant they landed successive wins for the first time in over two months, as the Bundesliga 2 leaders managed to keep the likes of Darmstadt, Elversberg and Hannover at arm's length once again on Matchday 23.
Matchday 23 results
Schalke 5-3 MagdeburgGoals: 1-0 Hugonet (OG) 15’, 1-1 Nollenburger 17’, 2-1 Džeko 39’, 3-1 Karaman (pen) 49’, 3-2 Zukowski 53’, 4-2 Ljubicic 65’, 5-2 Karaman 68’, 5-3 Zukowski (pen) 84’
In an electric atmosphere at the Veltins-Arena, Schalke returned to the top of the Bundesliga 2 table with a hard-fought win over a battling Magdeburg side. In an entertaining and spectacular affair, the Miners, propelled by vibrant performances from their entire front line, scored five times through a Jean Hugonet own goal, a Kenan Karaman brace, Edin Džeko and Dejan Ljubicic. The visitors’ resilience was admirable, as they continued to keep themselves in touching distance with goals at crucial times – two of which, by Alexander Nollenberger and Mateusz Zukowski, were of the eye-catching variety – but in the end Schalke had the requisite quality to secure an important victory.
Paderborn 5-2 Hertha Berlin
Goals: 1-0 Klaas 7’, 2-0 Scheller 20‘, 2-1 Schuler 39‘, 3-1 Bätzner 45+4', 4-1 Baur 65‘ (pen.), 5-1 Obermair 68‘, 5-2 Brekalo 70‘
Paderborn thrashed Hertha in a seven-goal thriller on Matchday 23 to remain hot on the heels of the top three. Ralf Kettemann’s team were dominant from the first whistle, claiming an early two-goal cushion through Sebastian Klaas and Tjark Scheller. Luca Schuler clawed one back against the run of play for Hertha, but Nick Bätzner restored the hosts' comfortable lead before the break. Continuing their dominance after the restart, Mika Baur scored from the spot and Raphael Obermair netted a fifth, before Josip Brekalo managed a late consolation for the Old Lady.
Preußen Münster 2-3 Kaiserslautern
Goals: 0-1 Ritter 9' (pen.), 1-1 Heuer 21', 1-2 Ritter 40', 1-3 Bassette 45+1', 2-3 Heuer 87'
Kaiserslautern hung on to claim their first away win since October and move up to sixth in the table. Marlon Ritter and Jannis Heuer both claimed braces in an entertaining encounter in Münster, with the Red Devils needing to fret at the end after Kenny Prince Redondo and Daniel Hanslik missed chances for a fourth goal.
Karlsruhe 3-1 Holstein Kiel
Goals: 1-0 Wanitzek 8', 2-0 Ben Farhat 61', 3-0 Wanitzek 83', 3-1 Müller 90+6'
Hosts Karlsruhe jumped into ninth with a superb performance and result against struggling Kiel. Marvin Wanitzek got the ball rolling for them within the first 10 minutes, before securing his brace late on after Louey Ben Farhat had doubled their lead shortly before. Kiel now sit just one point above the relegation play-off place in 14th.
Greuther Fürth 2-1 Arminia Bielefeld
Goals: 1-0 Hrgota 4’, 1-1 Knoche 19’ 2-1 Srbeny 53’
Greuther Fürth boosted their surival chances with a first home win since November. Branimir Hrgota headed his side into an early lead, but their joy was short-lived as Robin Knoche equalised for Bielefeld with their first opportunity of the game. Chances were few and far between, but Noel Futkeu’s introduction at the break changed Fürth’s outlook. Their leading scorer assisted Dennis Srbeny, who had the easy task of placing the ball into an empty net, lifting them to within a point of safety whilst bringing an end to Bielefeld’s four-game unbeaten run.
Darmstadt 2-1 Fortuna Düsseldorf
Goals: 1-0 Hornby 6', 1-1 de Wijs 11', 2-1 Maglica 88'
Sent off: Daland 90+6'
Darmstadt kept their promotion charge going strong with a late win over Düsseldorf. That win extended the hosts' unbeaten run to 13 games, with their last loss coming against promotion rivals Schalke back in October. For Fortuna, that makes it three games without a win, although there were plenty of positives to take from their performance.
Elversberg 3-1 Eintracht Braunschweig
Goals: 1-0 Petkov 5', 2-0 Petkov 23', 2-1 Opoku 35', 3-1 Mokwa 75'
Elversberg made it two wins on the bounce to ensure they kept pace in the promotion race. Lukas Petkov netted an early brace as the hosts made an ideal start, before Aaron Opoku pulled one back before half-time. It didn't signal the start of a comeback as Braunschweig had hoped though, and David Mokwa made sure of the victory with his goal in the 75th minute.
Bochum 1-1 Nuremberg
Goals: 0-1 Zoma 38’ (assist: Black), 1-1 Onyeka 77’ (pen.)
Bochum made it 10 games without defeat after coming from behind to draw with mid-table rivals Nuremberg. In a first half of few chances, West Ham United loanee Callum Marshall headed over for Bochum, before Mohamed Alì Zoma pounced from close range to put Nuremberg in front. The home side played with far greater purpose after the restart and their persistence was rewarded when Francis Onyeka levelled from the penalty spot following Luka Lochoshvili’s handball offence in the 77th minute.
Much like they did last week against high-flying Elversberg, Dynamo flew out of the gates, putting the nominal favourites under considerable pressure from the off. Towards the end of the first half, Hannover had assumed control however, but, despite a dominant second-half performance with huge chances for Noel Aseko Nkili and Daisuke Yokota, Christian Titz's men couldn’t find a way past Tim Schreiber in the Dresden goal.
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