Crushing Defeat for Senft – KSC Goes Down Against Promoted Side

Karlsruher SC continues to struggle under Maximilian Senft.

On the fifth matchday of the 2. Bundesliga, KSC suffered a clear 0-3 home defeat against promoted side Energie Cottbus. For the Austrian new coach, it is already the fourth league game in a row without a win.

Cottbus strikes before halftime

The promoted side got off to the better start. Cottbus played bravely from the beginning and created several high-quality chances in the opening fifteen minutes, but initially failed to convert them.

After that, Karlsruhe found their way into the game better. However, right in the hosts' strongest phase, Cottbus struck: Lukas Michelbrink put the visitors 1-0 up in first-half stoppage time (45.+2).

After the break, the promoted side then added two goals within a few minutes. Dominik Pelivan made it 2-0 in the 55th minute, and Justin Butler effectively sealed the win seven minutes later.

For the third goal conceded, Austrian international Christoph Kobald, who was on the pitch until the 81st minute, didn't look good. The centre-back carelessly lost the ball in the build-up, enabling Cottbus to score their third.

For Senft and KSC, the situation is becoming increasingly uncomfortable; the club slips to twelfth in the table, while promoted side Cottbus is a sensational seventh.

Hertha remains flawless

Meanwhile, at the top of the table, Hertha BSC continues to dominate unchallenged. The Berliners won 3-1 away at VfL Osnabrück, celebrating their fifth victory in their fifth game.

Josip Brekalo put Hertha ahead with a low shot from 18 meters (50').

Osnabrück had a big chance to equalize shortly after, but Robin Meißner failed to convert a penalty against Marius Gersbeck (59').

Hertha then struck from a set-piece. Kevin Sessa converted a corner to make it 2-0 (70'). Although Osnabrück pulled one back through Johan Arath Gomez (82'), substitute Farid Alfa-Ruprecht secured the definitive decision (90.+2).

Austrian talent Oluwaseun Adewumi was in the starting eleven for the Berliners for the first time this season. The 21-year-old once again showed a good performance and was substituted in the 77th minute.

Hertha thus continues to lead the table with a maximum of 15 points. Osnabrück is tenth with six points.

Heidenheim wins late

1. FC Heidenheim also celebrated a home victory. The team won 1-0 against Holstein Kiel.

Mathias Honsak was on the pitch from the start for the hosts but was substituted at halftime. Shortly after the break, Kiel also had to continue with ten men: Jonas Torrissen Therkelsen received a yellow-red card (50').

Heidenheim, however, only capitalized on their numerical superiority late on. Jonas Föhrenbach scored the winning goal with a header in the 83rd minute.

Heidenheim now has twelve points and is in third place. Kiel remains at the bottom of the table with only three points.