Paderborn holds on for victory

The home game against SC Paderborn began with a moment of shock for the Lilies: after just three minutes, the visitors went ahead from a corner However, the goal did not count because Bilbija diverted the ball into the net via his arm. In the following minutes, a fairly fast-paced game developed with more ball possession for the home team, but slightly better chances for the guests.

The 98ers patiently let the ball run through their own ranks, but rarely found a way through in the last line. So scoring chances remained a rarity for long stretches of the game. In the 31st minute, the first proper chance arrived by Sven Michel flashed an effort past the post. Six minutes later, Paderborn had the ball in the net again via a corner. Former Lilies, Marvin Mehlem and Felix Platte combined with the latter stabbing the ball home and a header across goal.

In stoppage time, Marcel Schuhen prevented a bigger deficit: After the goalkeeper was only able to let a free kick rebound, he was there afterwards and parried Bilbija’s follow-up shot from close range. Shortly afterwards we went into the break with the narrow deficit.

After the break, the Darmstadt team increased the pressure and shifted the game significantly into Paderborn’s half. Six minutes into the half it became dangerous for the first time for the Lilien, but Fraser Hornby’s direct shot landed in the arms of the keeper. Five minutes later, Fabian Nürnberger tried from a distance, but this ball also landed in the arms of Riemann.

The Lilies kept up the pressure, but rarely found any space for the final pass. The guests continued to sit deep and wait for counterattacking opportunities as well as looking for set pieces.

In the final phase, coach Florian Kohfeldt tried to force the goal with four attacking changes, but Paderborn hardly allowed the Darmstadt team to get any shots and thus secured the away win.