2. Bundesliga: Turkish striker Yardımcı sinks former club Braunschweig as Kaiserslautern prevail

Kaiserslautern climbed to fifth in the 2. Bundesliga standings after a narrow win over Eintracht Braunschweig.

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Braunschweig suffered a huge blow inside the first ten minutes as debutant Isidoros Koutsidis had to be substituted with an injury. The Greek defender joined the 2. Bundesliga outfit on deadline day from Olympiacos.

Lars Kornetka had to make further changes before the start of the second-half due to injuries to striker Jan Urbich and Koutsidis’ replacement Andi Hoti. In a game of few chances, a goal that was all about two players decided the winner.

Kaiserslautern’s shot-stopper Julian Krahl found substitute Erencan Yardımcı with a measured long pass from his own box in the 73rd minute. The Hoffenheim loanee did the rest with a sumptuous lob to break the deadlock for the hosts.

The Turkish striker scored for Braunschweig in this fixture last season as he’s yet to be given a chance by his parent club. Including an audacious attempt from former Germany international Mergim Berisha, Kaiserslautern had multiple chances to double their lead after that.

In the end, their fourth clean sheet of the season was enough for three points. Braunschweig lost five games since starting the campaign with a 6-1 win in Magdeburg.

Braunschweig will host Holstein Kiel after the international break, while Kaiserslautern will be away at Heidenheim as both will play on a Friday evening.