Bundesliga 2, Matchday 8: Leaders Fortuna Düsseldorf host Hamburg in free game, Schalke take on Hertha Berlin
Bundesliga 2 leaders Fortuna Düsseldorf put their unbeaten start on the line in a home game against Hamburg where fans pay nothing for tickets on Sunday, after fallen giants Schalke and Hertha Berlin meet on Saturday evening for Matchday 8.
Find more about 'Fortuna For All' here!
Friday 4 October (6.30pm CEST)
Karlsruhe 3-3 Darmstadt
Goals: 1-0 Burnić (11’), 1-1 Lidberg (15’), 2-1 Jensen (28’), 2-2 Klefisch (54‘), 2-3 Vukotić (74‘), 3-3 Schleusener (77‘)
Following last week’s 4-4 goal frenzy against Cologne, Karlsruhe were involved in yet another one at home to Darmstadt. The hosts opened the scoring with their earliest goal so far this season, thanks to an acrobatic finish in the box by Burnić. Darmstadt didn’t take long to equalise with Lidberg getting on the end of a Hornby cross. The hosts retook the lead through a screamer of a volley by Jensen, but their advantage was nullified as Klefisch equalised not long after half-time. A period of dominance by the visitors resulted with them taking the lead through a Vukotić header after a corner. But Karlsruhe fought back against the run of play and managed to tie things up again with a close-range finish from Schleusener, which was their first shot on target in the second half. Both teams fought on, looking for a winner, but couldn’t find a breakthrough, meaning KSC remain unbeaten.
Paderborn 3-0 Jahn Regensburg
Goals: 1-0 Klass (14'), 2-0 Zehnter (65'), 3-0 Kinsombi (81')
Dominant from the off, Paderborn were good value for their 3-0 win at home to Regensburg. Possession paid off early as Sebastian Klaas thundered home a low drive from the edge of the area on 15 minutes. When the hosts missed a number of chances to double their lead, Regensburg sensed an opportunity - but Aaron Zehnter's low, angled shot put paid to their rebellion. With David Kinsombi adding a third from the spot, Paderborn held out for a 3-0 win that takes them provisionally second. Meanwhile, Regensburg remain in 18th, propping up the table with four points from eight matches.
Saturday 5 October (1pm CEST)
Schalke vs. Hertha Berlin (8.30pm CEST)
Sunday 6 October (1.30pm CEST)
Fortuna Düsseldorf vs. Hamburg
Eintracht Braunschweig vs. Hannover
Watch: The top 5 goals from Matchday 7
Click here for the latest Bundesliga 2 standings!
Want more Bundesliga Action?
Related news
Matchday 6 probable teams
Who might partner Granit Xhaka in midfield as Bayer Leverkusen host Holstein Kiel?
Alonso's Leverkusen career in numbers
Ahead of his two-year anniversary and 100th game in charge of Leverkusen, we examine Alonso's impact at the BayArena.
Frankfurt vs. Bayern: How do they stack up?
The Bundesliga boasts yet another top-of-the-table clash with two sides in flying form set to collide at Deutsche Bank Park on Sunday.