The perfect start for Fortuna Düsseldorf in the new 2nd league. The guests, who narrowly lost to Bochum in the penalty shootout in the relegation play-off, deservedly won 2-0 against Bundesliga relegated team Darmstadt. Fortuna’s grades:
Florian Kastenmeier
The goalkeeper showed once again why many experts consider him to be the best in the second division. Completely safe for 90 minutes. In the 68th minute he saved the win twice within one second against Fraser Hornby and Kai Kleefisch – unbelievable. Note 1
Matthias Zimmermann
Was overjoyed after the 1-0. Many in the stadium thought he had headed the 1-0. But in the end it was an own goal by Darmstadt’s Aleksandar Vukotic. No matter, Zimmermann was rock solid again. Note 3
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Andre Hoffmann
The old and new captain was safe as always when he was healthy. But basically he didn’t have that much to do at the back… Note 3
Tim Oberdorf
He was the best central defender since the winter and a regular at Fortuna. He was solid again, even though he made a few careless mistakes that had no impact. Note 4
Emma Iyoha
Fortuna’s man for almost all positions, once again left-back. There wasn’t much going on there – but he can do better, especially going forward. Note 4
Marcel Sobotta
Had to work his way into the new season like some of his colleagues. Then he played really well at number six. Note 4
Cloud Tanaka
The Japanese were particularly good after the break. One of the reasons why Düsseldorf bagged the win after the 1-0 lead. Note 2
Felix Klaus
The veteran is not quite up to operating temperature yet, but solid. Note 4
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Isak Johannesson
The young Icelander is the head of the headquarters. He and Fortuna – they really fit together. Note 2
Shinta Appelkamp
The German-Japanese can do much more than he showed in Darmstadt. He will certainly prove this in the next 33 games. Note 4
Danny Schmidt
The second division debut for the young man from the fourth division, who scored so well in the pre-season. But he was on his own in the center of the attack and found it difficult. Note 4
Jon German
He came on for Schmidt after 69 minutes. Niemiec is and remains the perfect joker. The way he provoked El Idrissi’s sending off thanks to his insane speed was something special and ultimately ended up knocking out Darmstadt. Note 2
Joshua Quarshie (84th for Hoffmann), the later goalscorer Tim Rossmann (84th for Klaus), Jordy de Wijs (84th for Appelkamp) and Sima Suso (89th for Iyoha) arrived too late to be assessed.
Coach Daniel Thioune
Even if his squad is not yet complete, those who are already there are fully on board. Thioune, who came on as a substitute for talented Rossmann, scored the decisive goal to make it 2-0. Note 2
