Kaiserslautern beat Ulm at home 2-1 to start off the second half of the second division season. (Facebook/1. FC Kaiserslautern)
The Red Devils got 2025 and the second half of the season off to a good start, defeating SSV Ulm 2-1 Saturday afternoon at Fritz Walter Stadium.
FCK fans had been in a state of shock since Thursday night when it was announced that the team’s defensive backbone Boris Tomiak was leaving the club immediately and moving on to second division rival Hannover 96.
Four minutes into the match, fans and team were shocked again when Ulm’s Philipp Stompf put his team up 1-0 when the 1. FC Kaiserslautern defense couldn’t clear the ball following a SSV corner.
Both teams missed scoring chances before Marlon Ritter scored the equalizer in the 23rd minute off a Daniel Hanslik pass.
Filip Kaloc put the Red Devils in front in the 23rd minute when he slammed a right footer into the net from about 20 yards out.
Despite a number of scoring chances in the second half, neither team was able to put the ball in the net. Ulm had two attempts in the final minutes, but the Kaiserslautern defense with keeper Julian Krahl kept the goal clean to hold on for the win.
The victory moved FCK into third place with 29 points before the Saturday night and Sunday games. The team can expect to drop a couple of places before weekend play is over. Ulm remains in 16th place.
The Red Devils head to Fürth for a 6:30 p.m. match Friday evening, before returning to the Betzenberg on Feb. 2 for a 1:30 p.m. game against Münster.
January 18, 2025 16:27
