1. FC Saarbrücken failed to get past a goalless draw in their first league game of the year on Tuesday evening. Away at SC Verl, the blue-blacks had to play outnumbered for the last 25 minutes of the game.
The game began with intense duels in midfield. In the first half it was still fairly even between the teams. In the first 30 minutes there were only a few real chances to score, the game largely took place between the two penalty areas.
In the last 15 minutes of the first half there were a few chances on both sides, but they didn’t result in goals. Kasim Rabihic and Luca Kerber had two good chances for the FCS just before the half-time whistle, but Verler keeper Luca Unbehaun prevented the visitors from taking the lead on both occasions.
With the score at 0-0 we went into the dressing rooms.
The second half starts fast
After the break there was a bit more speed in the game. Both teams looked for a way forward, but there were initially no conclusions.
In the 60th minute there was another good chance for the FCS. But Unbehaun was able to defuse Kasim Rabihic’s header again.
Red card for Biada
Four minutes later there was a bitter setback for the FCS: Julius Biada was shown a red card by referee Mario Hildenbrand because he had knocked Nicolás Sessa off his feet with a tackle across the wet grass. From now on the FCS will only have ten men.
Despite having one man, Saarbrücken remained less combative. In the 76th minute, Luca Kerber scored a goal with a header – but the flag went up on the sideline. Offside, the goal didn’t count.
Verl also had a few good chances after that, but it remained 0-0 until the end. The FCS is in 8th place in the table.
There is also a current report on this topic on January 22nd, 2024 on SR television.