Small things make all the difference in SVE’s home defeat

SVE Elversberg lost their last home game of the year 0:1 against 1. FC Nürnberg.

‘This was a game on an equal footing’, SVE coach Horst Steffen summarised before the match, expecting Nuremberg to be well-rested despite multiple DFB Cup games. ‘The details will make all the difference’, he emphasised. And the experienced coach was proven right.

The game began with countless niggles, small fouls and interrupted play, preventing the game from flowing during the first half. Clear goal opportunities were scarce on both sides.
After shots striking the crossbar by both teams, it was FCN that was able to land the decisive lucky punch: Daichi Hayashi took the guests ahead after SVE’s central defenders lacked focus in defending against a cross pass – and left FCN’s striker unguarded. 

Horst Steffen’s team did not give up, but failed to muster the penetrating power to threaten the Nuremberg players. SV Elversberg’s next opportunity to score points is on Sunday, when the Saarland team faces Karlsruher SC. Kick-off is at 1:30 p.m. Despite this defeat, the team’s table position still looks in good shape, sitting seven points above the relegation zone and 13 points above the direct relegation spot. SVE can now round off this strong first half to the season magnificently in Karlsruhe. Who could have believed this a few months’ ago?