Who would have thought it? After the strong performance of VfB Friedrichshafen in the English week of the regional football league with a 2:1 victory against FV Rot-Weiß Weiler, the team coached by Michael Steinmaßl put in a poor performance on Saturday at FC Wangen. No bite, no speed, poorly thought-out actions – the 0:5 (0:3) says everything about a weak performance by the league leader and the first defeat in the qualifying round south. The outstanding player for the hosts was captain Simon Wetzel, who also scored twice.

Friedrichshafen was not on a good path from the start in the top match. The players of FC Wangen set a high tempo after kick-off and won a number of important duels. A foul by Nicolai Weissenbacher on Jan Gleinser opened the door for the Allgäu team. The referee Julian Kiefer pointed to the penalty spot: Okan Housein outwitted goalkeeper Patrick Benz. Less than two minutes later, Simon Wetzel increased the lead to 2-0 with a free kick.

Wangen had everything under control and didn’t allow the fast wingers Joshua Merz and Mulai Danfa Fati to develop. Both Gleinser and Max Biewer cleverly closed off the spaces. “Especially in the first half, we lacked everything that made us stand out against Weiler. It was a black day for us, and one we should quickly put behind us,” said VfB captain Marian Pfluger. “We finally managed to play football and not just rely on long balls. We were present in the duels, worked the opponent well and always put them under pressure,” said Wangen’s goalscorer Magnus Pfeiffer.

Jonas Kaufmann scores a great goal

A lob from Simon Wetzel, a shot from Luca Spöri that went just wide – Wangen wanted to make it 3-0. It happened shortly before half-time. A great ball relay via Housein and Spöri was completed by Jonas Kaufmann with a great goal (44th).

Immediately after the restart, VfB had two good moments. FCW goalkeeper Marcel Maier deflected a shot from Merz to the side. Just 60 seconds later, substitute Patrick Berlet shot just wide. Wangen also had the luck they needed on this warm afternoon in the Allgäu Stadium. After a corner from Simon Wetzel, the rebound went to Magnus Pfeiffer, who held on and with luck and skill the ball found its way into the goal (58′).

Baur praises Wangen’s “combat presence”

Coach Joachim Baur’s team continued to play good football, and the changes on the FCW side did not change that. “The team played well, played at a high tempo and was rewarded. We were in the game well from the start and gave VfB hardly any opportunities to develop. The victory was a successful mixture of technically good football and tackling presence,” emphasized Baur.

The 5-0 was a co-production between Gleinser and Wetzel. Gleinser broke through on the outside and cleverly passed the ball back to Wetzel. The captain of FC Wangen slammed the ball under the crossbar (65′).

Steinmaßl looks for the mistakes in himself

“I take responsibility for the defeat. I made the line-up and it went wrong. I don’t want to say anything more about the game,” said Friedrichshafen coach Michael Steinmaßl.

Before the final spurt in the Landesliga Group South, VfB is still in first place with 16 points, ahead of FC Wangen with 14 points. In a week, FCW will be visiting Heimenkirch, while VfB is expecting Mengen.

Football State League IV, Qualification Round South, 7th Matchday:

FC Wangen – VfB Friedrichshafen 5:0 (3:0). – Goals: 1:0 Okan Housein (17′, penalty), 2:0 Simon Wetzel (19′), 3:0 Jonas Kaufmann (44′), 4:0 Magnus Pfeiffer (58′), 5:0 Wetzel (65′) – Referee: Julian Kiefer – Spectators 227 – FCW: Maier, Biewer, Gleinser (72′ Jannek Brüderlin), Spöri (65′ Willhalm), Wetzel, Hartmann (46′ Jonas Brüderlin), Housein (72′ Straub), Maucher, Pfeiffer, Biedenkapp, Kaufmann (65′ Fink) – VfB: Benz, Staudacher (81′ Imgrunt), Le Perf (33′ Berlet), Segelbacher (81′ Musso), Danfa Fati, Weissenbacher, Booch, Pfluger, Blaser, Valle Pousa (57′ Caltabiano), Merz (57′ Genoa).