Berlin, Hannover suffer setbacks in German Bundesliga
Xinhua, February 16, 2015 Adjust font size:
Relegation threatened Freiburg earned a 2-0 victory over uninspired Berlin meanwhile newly promoted Paderborn came from behind to shock Hannover 2-1 at the closer of the 21st round of the German Bundesliga on Sunday.
Berlin lost the home soil debut of their new coach Pal Dardai as Freiburg scored two goals, by courtesy Felix Klaus and Maximilian Philipp, to push "Hertha" onto the penultimate position of the table.
The hosts staged a weak performance as they failed to work out goal scoring opportunities against deep defending Freiburg, who focused on fast breaks.
Freiburg's strategy turned out to be successful as they utilized their first chance to break the deadlock. Karim Guede passed into the goal area where Felix Klaus tapped in at the near post with 14 minutes into the game.
Berlin remained also idealess at the second half allowing clinical Freiburg to kill the game with the 2-0 lead when Maximilian Philipp headed home a corner from six meters into the top left corner at the 52nd minute.
With the result, Berlin recorded their 12th loss of the season to slump to the 17th place meanwhile Freiburg jump from 17th to 16th position, which is a relegation play-off spot.
Elsewhere, newly promoted Paderborn snatched a 2-1 comeback win against Hannover on the road. As a consequence, Hannover wait for their first win in 2015.
Both sides were unable to break the deadlock within the first half. Things changed after the restart as Hannover opened the scoring following a set-piece. Joselu flicked on Lars Stindl's free kick to Marcelo, who poked home from very close with all time and space at the 66th minute.
Paderborn remained unimpressed and restored parity only six minutes later as substitute Srdjan Lakic headed home the equaliser, three minutes after his fielding.
The visitors turned the tides and flabbergasted Hannover when Alban Meha unleashed a free kick from 25 meters to beat goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler into the roof of the net at the 79th minute.
Hannover pressed frenetically to level the scores but all their efforts remained fruitless. Paderborn climb from 15th to 12th position while Hannover stay on the 10th place of the standings. Endi