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FCK - A.J. Auxerre

Since last Saturday’s absentees Srdjan Lakic, Jan Simunek and Leon Jessen were match fit again, FCK head coach Marco Kurz had a fully-fit squad to choose from.

In comparison to last week’s 1-0 win over Liverpool FC, Marco Kurz made five changes to the squad, lining up Hoffer, Kirch, Moravek, Lakic and Schulz instead of Nemec, Micanski, Amri, Bilek and Tiffert. Rodnei played alongside Martin Amedick at center-back, with Alexander Bugera and Florian Dick in the full-back positions. Bastian Schulz and Moravek anchored central midfield, with Ivo Ilicevic and Oliver Kirch on the flanks, and Erwin “Jimmy” Hoffer and Srdjan Lakic up front.

Once, referee Christ whistled proceedings underway on a splendid and sunny evening at the Betzenberg, a friendly and relaxed crowd at the Fritz Walter Stadium greeted both teams.

The first moment of any quality took a while to arrive, but with six minutes on the clock, Ilicevic danced his way through the opponent’s defense before sending a brilliant pass to Hoffer, but the Austrian was stopped by an opponent. Seconds later, Rodnei created another chance from a Bugera corner kick as his header flew over the crossbar.

At the other end, AJ Auxerre had its first chance from a set piece, and it was against the run of play but the visitors took the lead as Valter Birsa hammered a free-kick under the bar after ten minutes.

The Red Devils enhanced the pace but failed to create any decent chances. After 19 minutes, Bugera sent a fast-paced free-kick on goal, but it was a comfortable save for Sorin in Auxerre’s goal.

With 23 minutes on the clock, Oliver Kirch displayed a great dash down the channel and proved his eye for goal as he fed Lakic in the box. It was an unintended assist as the ball dropped right before Moravek’s feet. FCK’s new signing did not hesitate but slot home coolly.

The game gained pace now and Lakic laid on for Bastian Schulz before the midfielder was stopped by an opponent. Hoffer could have put his team in the lead twice but was unable to convert on one of his chances.

At the other end, Oliech forced Tobi Sippel to perform heroics, but the Red Devils’ shot-stopper saved capably. Florian Dick brilliantly crossed for Lakic, but his shot from 18 yards was blocked. The Red Devils really seized control of the game now, challenging their opponents once and again. An Ilicevic long-shot thundered over the crossbar before Lakic created the last opportunity of the first half as he saw his long-range effort miss the target.

Head coach Marco Kurz made six changes to his team, replacing Sippel, Amedick, Dick, Schulz, Moravek and Hoffer by Trapp, Simunek, Amri, Bilek, Tiffert and Micanski.

The Red Devils took control of the happenings on the pitch right from scratch with Lakic putting his team in front five minutes after the restart as he capitalized on a clear-cut free-kick by Tiffert. That served only as a warning of what was about to come from the Red Devils as Rodnei hammered a shot against the bar from a fast-paced Bugera corner kick only seconds later.

Micanki released Kirch into open space only to see Sorin perform a stunning reaction to deny the shot. Jan Simunek could have made it three as he caught a precise corner kick by Tiffert but was unable to overcome Sorin in Auxerre’s goal.

Clearly dominating the game, the Red Devils attacked the visitors’ goal again and again. And they were finally rewarded as Ilian Micanski buried the ball in the net from a Rivic cross after 72 minutes chalking up the utterly merited 3-1.

Kurz’s side continued to dominate and Micanski could have sealed a clinical brace but Sorin pulled out a stunning reaction to deny the Bulgarian forward.

Three weeks ahead of the Bundesliga restart, the Red Devils secured a richly deserved 3-1 victory over AJ Auxerre.

Statistics:

1. FC Kaiserslautern – AJ Auxerre: 3-1 (1-1)

FCK: Sippel (Trapp 46) – Amedick (Simunek 46), Rodnei (Abel 69), Dick (Amri 46), Bugera (Jessen 61)– Schulz (Bilek 46), Moravek (Tiffert 46) – Ilicevic (Rivic 61), Kirch – Hoffer (Micanski 46), Lakic (Nemec 61)

AJ Auxerre: Sorin – Hengbart, Coulibaly, Le Tallec (67 Grichting), Birsa (67 Quercia), N’Dinga (74 Acapandié) , Mignot (67 Contout), Oliech (74 Dudka), Pedretti, Jelen (67 Langil), Berthold

Goals: 0-1 Birsa (10), 1-1 Moravek (23), 2-1 Lakic (51), Micanski 3-1 (74)

Attendance: 23,000