First Defeat of the Season
On matchday ten, the time had come. The huge 41,491 crowd at Fritz Walter Stadium saw the first defeat of the current campaign. The Red Devils lost 0-2 against the strong visitors from Düsseldorf.
On Friday, October 23, 2009, Fortuna Düsseldorf visited the Betzenberg. FCK head coach Marco Kurz put his trust in the same eleven that had defeated Energie Cottbus in last week’s road game. Ivo Ilicevic, who was plagued by calf problems during the week, was back again to provide the support down the channels. Dragan Paljic and Adam Nemec entered the field of play to cater for the necessary goals.
After the referee whistled play underway, the Red Devils dropped heavy hints as to why they had gone nine league matches undefeated prior to kick-off, greeting the guests with promising attacks. Sidney Sam created dangerous opportunities on the left side; nevertheless, the Red Devils had their difficulties to overcome their opponents who concentrated on preventing the home side from scoring. The visitors had their first scoring opportunity on 15 minutes, when Harnik made his first attempt following a free kick, warming the gloves of FCK shot-stopper Tobi Sippel. What happened three minutes later, came out of the blue: The visitors took the lead on 18 minutes after Costa had caught a free kick by Christ and set up for Jovanovic who simply slot home. The home side made any effort but passes most of the balls to the wrong colored shirt.
Moreover, the guests closed any gap and built a real fortress in front of their goal. In direct and immediate response to a Bugera free kick, Fortuna Düsseldorf counter-attacked, and Jovanovic added his second goal, leaving Sippel without the whiff of a chance.
FCK-Fortuna Düsseldorf
The Red Devils were lacking the crucial luck, and passes did not reach their destination. The visitors always were one step ahead, creating more chances and preventing the home side from any kind of build-up play. Not before the 34th minute, FCK had its first real chance thanks to a thundering shot on the volley by Bastian Schulz. However, the shot landed right in the arms of Fortuna’s goalkeeper Ratajczak.
Nonetheless, FCK fans had reason to hope that this was the longed-for wake-up call for their team. A few minutes later, a Paljic header missed the target by the fraction of an inch, before team captain Martin Amedick sent a shot on goal that brought the fans to their feet. Unbelievably, the ball missed the target by a hairbreadth (42). After a Sidney Sam free kick had landed in the side netting, the home side went to the changing room with the hope for revenge during the second half.
FCK reentered the pitch with the clear and visible aim to turn the tables. Head coach Marco Kurz replaced Sidney Sam by Erik Jendrisek. Less than two minutes after the half-time interval, Bastian Schulz initiated another attack, handing Ivo Ilicevic a brilliant opportunity. However, the winger’s attempt cannoned above the crossbar. On 55 minutes, Danny Fuchs entered the field of play for the first time in the current season. The next scoring chance followed promptly but Mandjeck’s header flew beside the post. There were crosses but no takers, chances but no luck.
The visitors, on the other hand, concentrated on safeguarding their lead. In the 65th minute, Srdjan Lakic finally celebrated his comeback at the Betzenberg. The Croat was welcomed with applause. The Red Devils were still searching for the crucial luck, trying to score the goal to close the gap, but all effort was in vain. On the tenth matchday, 1. FC Kaiserslautern lost 0-2 to Fortuna Düsseldorf. However, ten league matches without defeat are no reason to feel blue.
Statistics:
1. FC Kaiserslautern – Fortuna Düsseldorf 0-2 (0-2)
1. FC Kaiserslautern: Sippel - Dick, Amedick, Rodnei, Bugera – Ilicevic, Schulz (Fuchs 55), Mandjeck, Sam (Jendrisek 46)– Paljic, Nemec (Lakic 65)
Fortuna Düsseldorf: Ratajczak - Weber, Anderson, Langeneke, van den Bergh - Lambertz, C. Costa, Christ (Zoundi 90), Caillas (Fink 54) - Harnik, Jovanovic (Gaus 67)
Goals:
0-1 Jovanovic (18 )
0-2 Jovanovic (24)
Yellow cards:
1. FC Kaiserslautern: Mandjeck (15), Jendrisek (73)
Fortuna Düsseldorf: Harnik (34), Fink (60)
Match officials: Kinhöfer - Scheppe - Seiwert - Assmuth
Attendance: 41,491
www.fck.de
On matchday ten, the time had come. The huge 41,491 crowd at Fritz Walter Stadium saw the first defeat of the current campaign. The Red Devils lost 0-2 against the strong visitors from Düsseldorf.
On Friday, October 23, 2009, Fortuna Düsseldorf visited the Betzenberg. FCK head coach Marco Kurz put his trust in the same eleven that had defeated Energie Cottbus in last week’s road game. Ivo Ilicevic, who was plagued by calf problems during the week, was back again to provide the support down the channels. Dragan Paljic and Adam Nemec entered the field of play to cater for the necessary goals.
After the referee whistled play underway, the Red Devils dropped heavy hints as to why they had gone nine league matches undefeated prior to kick-off, greeting the guests with promising attacks. Sidney Sam created dangerous opportunities on the left side; nevertheless, the Red Devils had their difficulties to overcome their opponents who concentrated on preventing the home side from scoring. The visitors had their first scoring opportunity on 15 minutes, when Harnik made his first attempt following a free kick, warming the gloves of FCK shot-stopper Tobi Sippel. What happened three minutes later, came out of the blue: The visitors took the lead on 18 minutes after Costa had caught a free kick by Christ and set up for Jovanovic who simply slot home. The home side made any effort but passes most of the balls to the wrong colored shirt.
Moreover, the guests closed any gap and built a real fortress in front of their goal. In direct and immediate response to a Bugera free kick, Fortuna Düsseldorf counter-attacked, and Jovanovic added his second goal, leaving Sippel without the whiff of a chance.
FCK-Fortuna Düsseldorf
The Red Devils were lacking the crucial luck, and passes did not reach their destination. The visitors always were one step ahead, creating more chances and preventing the home side from any kind of build-up play. Not before the 34th minute, FCK had its first real chance thanks to a thundering shot on the volley by Bastian Schulz. However, the shot landed right in the arms of Fortuna’s goalkeeper Ratajczak.
Nonetheless, FCK fans had reason to hope that this was the longed-for wake-up call for their team. A few minutes later, a Paljic header missed the target by the fraction of an inch, before team captain Martin Amedick sent a shot on goal that brought the fans to their feet. Unbelievably, the ball missed the target by a hairbreadth (42). After a Sidney Sam free kick had landed in the side netting, the home side went to the changing room with the hope for revenge during the second half.
FCK reentered the pitch with the clear and visible aim to turn the tables. Head coach Marco Kurz replaced Sidney Sam by Erik Jendrisek. Less than two minutes after the half-time interval, Bastian Schulz initiated another attack, handing Ivo Ilicevic a brilliant opportunity. However, the winger’s attempt cannoned above the crossbar. On 55 minutes, Danny Fuchs entered the field of play for the first time in the current season. The next scoring chance followed promptly but Mandjeck’s header flew beside the post. There were crosses but no takers, chances but no luck.
The visitors, on the other hand, concentrated on safeguarding their lead. In the 65th minute, Srdjan Lakic finally celebrated his comeback at the Betzenberg. The Croat was welcomed with applause. The Red Devils were still searching for the crucial luck, trying to score the goal to close the gap, but all effort was in vain. On the tenth matchday, 1. FC Kaiserslautern lost 0-2 to Fortuna Düsseldorf. However, ten league matches without defeat are no reason to feel blue.
Statistics:
1. FC Kaiserslautern – Fortuna Düsseldorf 0-2 (0-2)
1. FC Kaiserslautern: Sippel - Dick, Amedick, Rodnei, Bugera – Ilicevic, Schulz (Fuchs 55), Mandjeck, Sam (Jendrisek 46)– Paljic, Nemec (Lakic 65)
Fortuna Düsseldorf: Ratajczak - Weber, Anderson, Langeneke, van den Bergh - Lambertz, C. Costa, Christ (Zoundi 90), Caillas (Fink 54) - Harnik, Jovanovic (Gaus 67)
Goals:
0-1 Jovanovic (18 )
0-2 Jovanovic (24)
Yellow cards:
1. FC Kaiserslautern: Mandjeck (15), Jendrisek (73)
Fortuna Düsseldorf: Harnik (34), Fink (60)
Match officials: Kinhöfer - Scheppe - Seiwert - Assmuth
Attendance: 41,491
www.fck.de