2. Bundesliga: VAR calls dominate entertaining East Westphalia derby | OneFootball

Kickoff had to be delayed for nearly ten minutes because of fireworks, which allowed a rare chance for Patrick Ittrich to showcase his skills. The experienced referee was then at the heart of the first big moment of the game as he chalked off Filip Bilbija’s goal for an offside after checking the incident from the VAR monitor himself.

That proved decisive as the hosts took the lead in the 24th minute with Joel Grodowski’s ninth goal of the season. The 28-year-old ended Bielefeld’s two-game scoreless run with an improvised strike from Arne Sicker’s cross after coming close with another header earlier in the game.

Noah Sarenren Bazee should’ve doubled the newly-promoted side’s advantage immediately, but the former Hannover and Augsburg attacker missed an absolute sitter after a superb play by Marvin Mehlem. At the other end, Benjamin Boakye made sure to deny Ruben Müller a shooting opportunity from a promising position.

Paderborn rued a VAR decision for the second time when Calvin Brackelmann’s goal was canceled for an offside in the injury-time of the first-half. The game faced another delay early after the restart because of tennis balls thrown by the traveling fans. Paderborn’s coach Ralf Kettemann was successful in his attempt to convince the fans before they celebrated the equalizer moments later.

Stefano Marino’s deflected strike deservedly put them level before the striker got his third goal of the season in the hour mark. Marino, who celebrated his 22nd birthday a couple of days earlier, provided a backheel finish from Mika Baur’s cutback.

However, Bielefeld improved in the final stage of the game as they kept knocking for the all-important equalizer. VAR was once again involved in Paderborn’s misery as Mael Corboz scored from a penalty-kick that needed a lengthy VAR check.

Paderborn missed a chance to climb to the top spot before tomorrow’s game between Schalke and Hannover. Bielefeld’s losing streak ended at three games, but results elsewhere could now see them drop to the relegation zone. The two derbies between these teams provided 11 goals this season.