Sandhausen See off 1860 and Schmidt

Posted: 12:18 am, August 31, 2013 by Tony Mayger

A defeat too many for Alexander Schmidt as the manager was dismissed the day after the 2-0 defeat. Photo: DPA

1860 Munich 0-2 SV Sandhausen
Goals: 0-1 Hübner (11’), 0-2 Jovanovic (40’)

1860 Munich gifted SV Sandhausen their first league win of the season on a night where their defensive frailties were exposed for all to see. A goal in the 11th minute from Sandhausen defender Florian Hübner got the visitors off to a great start and with five minutes of the first half remaining, a leaping header from Ranisav Jovanovic put them two goals in front and into an unassailable lead.

The hosts started the match brightly and were determined to go looking for goals. Unfortunately they forgot about defending, and when the outstretched foot of Hübner connected with a curling ball into the penalty area, the Lions were stunned early.

Alexander Schmidt’s men dusted themselves down and got straight back to work but rarely caused their opponent’s defence any real trouble. Their attack swapped between playing a long ball over the top and using winger Moritz Stoppelkamp to exploit the right-hand channel.

A lack of movement and diagonal runs peeling off the defenders, meant that it was all too simple for the visitors - a team that had not won a league game this season. Sandhausen kept their tactics simple and moved the ball around at pace, opening up 1860′s defence in the process.

Five minutes before half time, and target man Jovanovic was perfectly picked out by a high ball in from the right. Unmarked, the big Serbian leapt to nod the ball goalwards and leave Gabor Kiraly with no chance. 1860 were two goals down and the visitors had done so without really trying.

Schmidt made two changes at the start of the second half with Canadian Rob Friend replacing Daniel Adlung and American Bobby Wood taking over from Marin Tomasov on the left wing.

Another week, another 1860 after this 2-0 home defeat to SV Sandhausen. Photo: DPA

The referee was kept busy keeping the two sets of players apart in the second half. Captain Guillermo Vallori was in the thick of things but it was striker Stephan Hain whose name went into the referee’s book first. His clumsy looking challenge for the ball left Manuel Riemann, the Sandhausen goalkeeper, in some discomfort on the hour mark.

At the other end Kiraly kept his side from falling further behind with a string of impressive saves, but still the outfield department could not find a way of threatening at the other end.

21-year old Stefan Wannenwetsch got to stretch his legs when he replaced Hain with a quarter of an hour left on the clock. The youngster was impressive last season and showed glimpses of being the type of creative player that could boss the midfield in years to come. With the lack of movement in attack limiting his options, the young midfielder could do little more than play the ball backwards or to the side.

Sandhausen fully deserved their win while 1860 will be left to lick their wounds. The Lions looked hungry enough but were tactically inept. The team is disjointed and miss an experienced central-defensive partner for Vallori and with Daniel Bierofka out, a central midfielder to command the troops and organise the attack.

Schmidt was relieved of managerial duties the following day with 1860’s Director of Sport, Florian Hinterberger quick to explain that the club will not be rushed into finding a replacement. Schmidt had been in charge for nine months but suffered from a lack of confidence at the start of his reign when investor Hasan Ismaik voiced a desire to employ Sven-Göran Eriksson instead. Internal wrangling left the former England manager free to accept a job with Guangzhou R&F in the Chinese Super League.

So far this season, 1860 have managed three wins and three defeats in their opening six games, with their form once again proving an issue. The decision marks another milestone in 1860’s tumultuous (recent) history. The shadow of Hasan Ismaik seems to haunt every manager and in turn, adds to the pressure expected of the players. The club is full of tradition, boasts a passionate fan base and has top-flight and European history. And as understandable as Schmidt’s sacking is considering the statistics, the new manager will hardly have long to recover this side from their inconsistency bug.

Until that day arrives, assistant manager Markus von Ahlen together with colleague Denis Bushuev and Kurt Kowarz will take over training duties.

SV Sandhausen: Riemann - Schauerte, F. Hübner, Olajengbesi, Achenbach - Kulovits, Linsmayer - Stiefler, Ulm (78′ Blum), Thiede (90′ Knoll) - Jovanovic (67′ Löning)

TSV 1860 Munich: Kiraly – Volz, Vallori, Buelow, Schindler – Tomasov (46′ Wood), Y. Stark, Adlung (46′ Friend), Stoppelkamp – Hain (75′ Wannenwetsch), Lauth

Yellow cards: Stark, Hain, Buelow, Vallori - Jovanovic, Kulovits
Attendance: 18,000
Referee: René Rohde