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Marlon Ritter's header paved the way for Kaiserslautern to Berlin
Photo: Jean-Christophe Verhaegen / AFP
The first finalist of the DFB Cup has been determined: 1. FC Kaiserslautern is heading to the final in Berlin after a 2-0 (0-0) away win at 1. FC Saarbrücken. Marlon Ritter (53rd minute) was successful with a header for coach Friedhelm Funkel's team, Almamy Touré (75th) followed up in the same way.
This marks the end of Saarbrücken's remarkable cup series. The eleventh-placed team in the third division had recently knocked three Bundesliga teams out of the cup in a row, including FC Bayern Munich in round two. But Lauterer's entry into the final on May 25th is also a big surprise: MSV Duisburg was the last second division team to make it there in 2011.
The Lauter opponent will be decided on Wednesday (8:45 p.m., TV: ZDF) between Fortuna Düsseldorf and the unbeaten Bundesliga leaders Bayer Lerverkusen.
Saarbrücken's quarter-final game against Borussia Mönchengladbach was postponed due to adverse field conditions. The game against Lautern was able to take place - although it rained again, but this time the grass held up.
A game characterized by duels developed in which Saarbrücken's pressing made life difficult for the higher-class guests: FCK keeper Robin Himmelmann, who was replacing the injured goalkeeper Julian Krahl, hit an uncontrolled ball under pressure that Saarbrücken was able to collect. However, after the following cross, Amine Naïfi did not bring the ball onto the goal - and was also offside (11th). A header from Kai Brünker also landed next to the goal (42nd).
The first half was otherwise poor in terms of highlights, but the Lauterers had to cope with Kenny-Prince Redondo's injury: the attacker had to go out with a thigh problem and made room for Aaron Opoku (31'). Top scorer Ragnar Ache wasn't even in the squad due to a lack of training - Kaiserslautern's emergency offensive had to improvise.
Touré shines with an assist and a goal
And that's what she did after the break: A cross from Touré found Ritter at the first post, who prevailed in the aerial duel despite his size disadvantage. The header came as a tricky touchdown, but Saarbrücken's goalkeeper Tim Schreiber still didn't look good and let the ball slip through his legs (53'). At this point, the pace of the game came into play: Saarbrücken had to take action, Lautern used the space for counterattacks and could often only be slowed down by fouls.
This also initiated the preliminary decision: Tymoteusz Puchacz hit the free kick in a high arc from the half field into the Saarbrücken penalty area, Touré jumped highest in the center and increased it to 2-0 (75th). Saarbrücken didn't give up, Brünker chased the ball over the crossbar on the turn (80th), but it was no longer enough for a comeback.
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