After the celebrated entry into the cup semi-finals, Fortuna Düsseldorf experienced a hard landing in everyday life in the 2nd Bundesliga. The Düsseldorf team suffered a 3-4 defeat at SC Paderborn on Sunday (February 4th, 2024) and lost contact with the promotion places.
After the defeat, the gap to the relegation place has increased to five points for Fortuna, who have only managed to get one win from the last five games. Paderborn, on the other hand, celebrated their first win in 2024 and came sixth in the table with 31 points, catching up with Düsseldorf.
To the live ticker: Paderborn – Düsseldorf arrow right 20th matchday arrow right
Düsseldorf off the roll in the first half
The Düsseldorf team, who celebrated victory in the DFB Cup at Millerntor against FC St. Pauli five days earlier, performed well in the first half in Paderborn. Paderborn’s David Kinsombi laid the foundation for a quarter of an hour of horror for the guests with his opening goal in the 19th minute. Mattes Hansen (34th) and Filip Bilbija (36th), back in the starting line-up after a suspension and injury, ensured a 3-0 half-time lead.
Fortuna showed a reaction after the restart: After the quick goals from Yannik Engelhardt (49th) and new signing Marlon Mustapha (55th), the game suddenly seemed open again. But Koen Kostons (82nd) dealt Düsseldorf another setback with his goal to make it 4-2. Dennis Jastrzembski (90th) brought Fortuna close again, but Paderborn extended their lead even after injury time.
SCP coach Kwasniok relieved, Fortuna coach Thioune dissatisfied
“It was a sharp performance from us in the first half, even if we weren’t always solid at the back,” said Paderborn coach Lukas Kwasniok. After the early goals it was clear that it would be a wild game: “Düsseldorf is a top team. We are all the happier to leave the pitch as winners.”
Sportschau, February 4th, 2024 4:23 p.m
Fortuna coach Daniel Thioune also saw some chances for his team in the first half, saying they were defending too wildly. In the second half he and his team “made a few changes” and played with their backs to the wall: “You don’t have to leave the pitch as a loser for over 90 minutes.”
Fortuna now against Elversberg, Paderborn on the Betzenberg
Fortuna continues on matchday 21 next Saturday (1:30 p.m.) with a home game against Elversberg. Paderborn will compete in Kaiserslautern on the Betzenberg on Saturday evening (8.30 p.m.).