Despite dominating for large periods of the game SC Paderborn 07 fell to a 2-1 defeat to Arminia Bielefeld, who finally picked up their first win of the campaign.
Paderborn had got off to a less than convincing start for their 2. Bundesliga return and coach Markus Gellhaus was beginning to feel the heat. He made three changes to the side that lost to 1. FC Kaiserslautern, in the hope of avoiding a third consecutive defeat. Michael Heinloth, Dominik Wydra and Florian Ruck dropped out for Hauke Wahl, Niklas Hoheneder and Kevin Stöger.
Norbert Meier and Arminia were in a similar situation, although they were yet to claim three points in the new campaign. Never far off the pace, opted for just one alteration from the defeat to Eintracht Braunschweig. Christian Müller made way for Brian Behrendt, in what was a slightly more defensive set-up.
Good, early chances for Bielefeld
The game began brightly at the Benteler-Arena with both sides going close in the opening exchanges. Nick Proschwitz flashed a volley wide of goal, before Fabian Klos' excellent header drifted just wide of the upright, as Lukas Kruse scurried across his goal to cover his far post.
While Kruse couldn't get his hands to Klos' effort, he had to be at his very best to palm away Christoph Hemlein's rasping drive. The ball swerved and curved towards the top corner but the Paderborn stopper was able to get his fingertips to the ball and turn it behind. Mahir Saglik responded for the hosts and after a neat one-two he was denied by Stephan Salger's superb block.
Paderborn take control and the lead
A period of sustained Paderborn pressure soon told and Proschwitz was handed another great chance to open the scoring. Julian Börner was caught in possession by the forward and he raced through on goal. However, when he went one-on-one with Wolfgang Hesl he was denied by the Bielefeld custodian, who spread himself well to save with his legs.
He was not disheartened and continued to plug way until he got his goal. Florian Harthez went racing down the left-hand side before cutting the ball back to Stoppelkamp. He ghosted past his man before squaring to Proschwitz, who had the simple task of tapping into the goal from just two yards out.
Bielefeld back on level terms
Paderborn picked up where they left off and a powerful header from Proschwitz stung the palms of Hesl in the opening minutes of the second half. The hosts' inability to take one more of those first half chances came back to haunt them, however, as Bielefeld leveled in spectacular fashion.
Brian Behrendt's start to life in Germany hadn't been promising but he soon made up for that, striking a powerful free-kick past Kruse from all of 25 yards. The goalkeeper, after putting in such an impressive showing in the opening period, would have been disappointed to let it in at 'his side', so to speak.
Görlitz gives Bielefeld the lead
The visitors were now beginning to express themselves more and their long-range efforts continued to cause concern for Kruse, who was becoming ever more busy in the home goal. It was a point-blank header that went even closer to giving Bielefeld the lead, though. Sebastian Schuppan rose highest to meet Florian Dick's corner, only to see it bounce back out off the bar.
They were to be rewarded for their efforts and a stunning strike from a substitute proved to be the difference. Klos shifted the ball outside to Michael Görlitz, who cut back into the box and unleashed a fabulous curling shot that kissed the post on its way in. Kruse was helpless, and Paderborn were behind.
Bielefeld held on in the end to secure their first three points of the season, while Paderborn lost for the third game running.