FC Ingolstadt still can’t make up any ground. The bottom team in the table drew 1-1 with Karlsruhe in a courageous first half, but was unable to pull away decisively. In the second half, the game flattened out.
Ingolstadt coach Andre Schubert made only one change after the 1:2 in Paderborn before the international break, with Gebauer returning and displacing Linsmayer on the bench.
KSC coach Christian Eichner also fielded almost the same eleven compared to the 1-1 draw against Hamburg, only having to replace Lorenz, who dislocated his shoulder against HSV. Kother started in his place.
“I suspect it will be a game decided by a standard situation “, Eichner had predicted before the game – in the first half it became clear why.
Strong start for the Schanzers – unlucky Kother
The FCI, bottom of the table and without a win in eight games, started the match furiously and had the first big chance through Beister after just a few seconds (1st), but the attacker missed.
After that, the Schanzers were more present in the duels and didn’t let KSC really get into the game, while the home side kept striking forward with clever standard executions and good moves. A flat corner led to the lead: Keller shot from the back, Kobald deflected his shot into the other corner and gave Gersbeck no chance (27.). After that, Ingolstadt pulled back further, but counter-attacked strongly and even had the 2:0 on their feet in the person of Beister (34.).
KSC get over the resting ball – Kother as beneficiary
Before the break, however, KSC came up a bit for the first time and created danger through standards, mainly due to many minor fouls by FCI. Wanitzek’s cross just before the break hit Hofmann at the post, Kother stayed awake and pushed the ball over the line (42.). So it was 1-1 at the break – and both goals had come from standards.
At the restart, Schubert took off his captain Kutschke and brought on Kaya. Shortly afterwards, one of the most conspicuous Schanzers, Beister, left the pitch (55th) and Bilbija came on in his place. The changes did not do the FCI any good, they lacked a lighthouse up front that could always be played on. Therefore, it was the Badeners who came out of the dressing rooms better, but failed to score through Choi (53.) and Hofmann (56.)
Eichner’s triple change does not work either – FCI and KSC are treading water
But it was only a brief flicker of dominance, after which the encounter became more and more flat by the minute and unsightly. That Eichner was not satisfied with his team was shown by the offensive triple change a quarter of an hour before the end. Kaufmann, Schleusener and Cueto came on for the final phase, but had no influence on the outcome of the game.
The Schanzers, who were disappointing in the second half, have now waited nine games for a win, and the gap to a relegation place is still immense. KSC is also in a bit of a crisis and has been without a win for four games.
Ingolstadt will play HSV next Sunday. The day before, KSC welcomes Hannover.
