Bielefeld. The drama is over, long live the party! Arminia Bielefeld got rid of its relegation worries in the penultimate game of the season. With a 0-0 draw against Halleschen FC, the DSC got the last point to avoid slipping into the relegation zone. And because the farewell from the 3rd league was avoided, farewell could be celebrated: Fabian Klos was the focus. The striker, who had pulled himself out of the spotlight in the DSC uniform before his last league home game, was then celebrated frenetically.
See also: The big farewell video for Fabian Klos
The majority of the euphoric 25,194 fans in the Schüco Arena were shocked twice as soon as the game had kicked off. In the 3rd minute, DSC keeper Jonas Kersken had to fish out a long-range shot from Halle’s Tom Baumgart. First warning. Less than a minute later, Meris Skenderovic stormed towards the Bielefeld goal. Only thanks to a lightning reflex from Kersken did the ball turn past the post. The roles were thus distributed: Halle, the team from the relegation zone, was the hunter. Tunay Deniz underlined this again in the 42nd minute when he drove over completely free from the 16.
The DSC appeared very measured in front of the visitors’ goal and initially apparently sought control. “There’s no way we’re going for a draw,” Coach Kniat had said. Of course, the hosts didn’t want to run into the open either. The offensive game was clearly the HFC’s. Thaddäus Momuluh, who had moved into the starting line-up for Mizuta, fell with quick advances The most recognizable players, alongside the 22-year-old, were – of course – Klos and Louis Oppie who returned to the starting line-up after being suspended.
Halle comes under pressure
A few unfinished wing runs and crosses from the DSC later, after 27 minutes, the home team had their first chance to score. Schreck had stumbled on a good cross in the 16-meter area, but at least passed it on to Oppie, whose shot was missed by Hall keeper Müller. The Bielefeld left-back and the HFC goalkeeper were the focus again just ten minutes later. When Klos headed a Lannert free kick to Oppie, who shot from the left, Müller parried with a world-class reflex. Klos headed towards goal twice after a corner, but neither shot was powerful enough. Wörl missed the fourth Bielefeld corner with a long leg at the second post (45th).
Fabian Klos in the header duel against Halle’s Tarsis Bonga. | © Andreas Zobe
“You can see why Arminia is in this situation,” coach legend Ewald Lienen analyzed on the TV microphone during the break. “It’s been the problem all year long that the game doesn’t work like that at the top. They can’t manage it, it’s dangerous create situations.” What had to be refuted specifically in this game. Minute 51: A long free kick from Lannert sailed onto the head of Klos, who passed it on to Schneider in the penalty area. Müller again dived in desperate need and saved for his colors after the header. Bielefeld’s options became better. Wörl narrowly missed in the 55th. Klos headed better in the 64th than in previous attempts, but Müller was there again.
The 0-0 score forced DSC pursuers Halle to constantly increase the pressure and open up. The phase in which every mistake can be punished came to a head. Corboz played the ball into Deniz’s foot. Its beam whizzed past the DSC housing to the left (75th). Nietfeld and Baumann narrowly failed with a co-production after a corner (78th).
Klos fights for Arminia until the end
Kniat reacted and brought in Mizuta, a new, fast offensive man for the exhausted Momuluh. But the Bielefeld team were increasingly pushed onto the defensive and were desperately looking for relief. The point that would be enough to stay in the league was wobbling. The 86th minute was the moment when Kniat decided to secure a draw. With Özkan and Gohlke, the coach – unusually – brought in two defensive players for Lannert and striker Putaro (86th). And in the second minute of added time the post saved Arminia. Henry-Jon Crosthwaite was through, shot from the half-right side, all Arminen were beaten, but the beam saved.
Also read: “Always one of you”: Arminia legend Fabian Klos says goodbye
And Fabian Klos? He stayed there until the end. He pumped, dragged himself across the lawn through the penalty area in his special jersey, called “Fabi’s last shirt.” He had a painful collision with goalkeeper Müller in the 90th minute. “It’s a huge honor for me. But it’s never been important “It doesn’t matter what jersey you play in, but rather what the players in there deliver on the pitch,” he said before the game. He went out in the 94th minute to the cheers of the fans. A few seconds later it was over. The “football god” briefly fell to his knees next to the field, then enjoyed the shouts of “Fabi, Fabi.”
The game can be read in the live ticker