Uninspired Magdeburg lose 0:1 to Eintracht Braunschweig

Lack of determination in defense, no ideas and no pace in attack: 1. FC Magdeburg suffered a defeat in the 2nd Bundesliga. In front of 22,582 spectators at Eintracht Braunschweig, the team from the Elbe city lost 0:1 (0:1). Ermin Bicakcic (16) scored from a scramble and FCM were unable to convert their majority of possession into goals. Magdeburg's Daniel Elfadli (74) was also shown a yellow card. As a result, the lead over the relegation places has shrunk to three points.

Coach Christian Titz used the line-up from the previous week, with the recovered strikers Luc Castaignos and Luca Schuler on the bench. On the pitch, Braunschweig gave the ball to the visitors, pressing on the halfway line and switching quickly when they won the ball. After five minutes, a sharp corner from Thorir Helgason flew past all the players and the FCM goal. FCM were shaky from set-pieces - and when the visitors were unable to clear the ball after a throw-in, Bicakcic (16) put Braunschweig in front.

Magdeburg only created half-chances against the defensively well-positioned hosts because the attacks were carried out without great pace and with too few surprising elements. Baris Atik's shot from 25 meters (26') was the first FCM shot on goal, the subsequent corner was headed over the goal by Jean Hugonet. The game went on like this, FCM couldn't do anything, Braunschweig waited and stressed Magdeburg after every loss of possession. There was more excitement in stoppage time: Baris Atik (45+2) was clearly hit on the foot in the penalty area, but Bastian Dankert decided to play on - the VAR did not intervene either.

Magdeburg brought on Castaignos for Leon Bell Bell and Connor Krempicki for captain Amara Condé. However, things did not improve. FCM hardly got any balls in at the top and Herbert Bockhorn's shot (65'), which went well over the bar, was the first shot on goal for Braunschweig after the break. FCM then had to continue with ten men after 74 minutes because Elfadli was shown a yellow card - although slow motion showed that the Magdeburg player had played the ball.

In the end, the Elbe club lost because they were shockingly harmless in attack and lacked determination in the decisive duels in defense. Both must not happen against Holstein Kiel on Friday if they are to avoid slipping further down the table.