Team FCS striving for points in Cottbus during the early stages of the season
In a thrilling encounter between Hells Bells (Cottbus) and 1. FC Saarbrücken, the home team took an early lead through Tolcay Cigerci in the 14th minute, following a corner from the left. The guests responded resiliently, with the match remaining tight until the final moments of the first half.
Justin Butler had a chance to double Cottbus's advantage in the 16th minute, but his shot hit the post. The Saarbrücken attack was sporadic throughout the half, with Cigerci scoring again in the 21st minute, leaving him alone on the right and scoring directly into the left corner of the Saarbrücken goal.
However, the guests refused to give up, and Florian Pick scored the equalizer for 1. FC Saarbrücken after a handball by Hoffmann in stoppage time. The second half saw a more defensive approach from both teams, with the home team maintaining possession and the visitors launching occasional counter-attacks.
Coach Alois Schwartz made changes in the second half, bringing on Baumann and Rabihic for Krahn and Bormuth, switching to a 4-3-3 formation. Tim Civeja, despite not making a strong impression in recent test games, was included in the Cottbus lineup and scored to make it 2:1 for Cottbus in the 26th minute after a beautiful attack down the right.
The Saarbrücken attack was largely ineffective in the second half, with the visitors launching a well-constructed attack in the 70th minute. Rabihic crossed into the box, and Dominic Baumann headed just over the bar. Niko Bretschneider was injured and replaced by Till Schumacher in the 78th minute, and Schumacher was involved in a dangerous play in the 86th minute.
Alois Schwartz fielded Patrick Sontheimer in the double-six for Cottbus, despite his limited participation in team training due to a broken toe. The match ended in a 2:2 draw, with both teams showing resilience and determination throughout. The game was marked by several close calls and near misses, making it an exciting spectacle for the fans in attendance.
In the second half, Tim Civeja, despite his recent underperformance, scored a beautiful goal for Cottbus, making it 2:1, following a change in formation by Coach Alois Schwartz. Despite the European-leagues-style defence displayed by both teams in the second half, there were still opportunities for sports like football to produce thrilling moments, as seen in Saarbrücken's last-minute attack in the 70th minute, reminiscent of the exciting encounters in European leagues.
