FC Erzgebirge Aue wins Saxony derby against Hallescher FC

FC Erzgebirge Aue won at Halle FC for the first time in almost four decades and go into the Saxony derby with plenty of confidence. Coach Pavel Dotchev's team won 3:2 (2:2) at HFC on Sunday in an eventful game, the last time they won a competitive match at the Saale in March 1988. On Sunday, Aue will host promotion favorites Dynamo Dresden in a derby and are six points off third place. HFC are just one point above the relegation zone.

The team from Halle, who have now gone four games without a win, took the lead through Dominic Baumann (20th minute), but Marco Schikora's equalizer (38th) was turned around by Timur Gayret (40th). Marcel Bär (44) struck back for Aue shortly before the break. After an emergency stop on Bär, HFC defender Jannes Vollert (65) was shown the red card and Marvin Stefaniak (66) converted the resulting penalty in front of 9,326 fans.

As so often in recent weeks, the fans caused the first upset with their protests against the German Football League's investment plans. After twelve minutes, several dozen tennis balls flew onto the pitch from the HFC block. When referee Nico Fuchs (Bergisch Gladbach) tried to blow the whistle again after a three-minute interruption, the next wave followed. Fuchs threatened to send the teams to the dressing room. After a total of six and a half minutes, play resumed.

The interruption had not done Niko Vukancic's concentration any good. A back pass from the defender to Aue goalkeeper Martin Männel was too short. Baumann stepped in between, curved around Männel and scored his 13th goal of the season. Aue's equalizer with a header from Schikora came as something of a surprise, as HFC had the game under control.

Almost immediately, Gayret gave the hosts the lead again with a deflected free-kick from 20 metres out and Männel had no chance. However, the HFC defense, which had never conceded a goal this season, once again proved too vulnerable. After a low cross from Kilian Jakob, Jannes Vollert was too inattentive and Bär got away from the defender.

Aue initially took control of the game after the break. Omar Sijaric (52) forced HFC keeper Philipp Schulze into a brilliant save with his attempt from five meters. Aue then had to replace unlucky Vukancic, who is facing a lengthy break with a suspected broken collarbone. Vollert also had a bad day. His foul on Bär earned him a red card and the visitors a penalty, which Stefaniak confidently converted.