TSV 1860 Munich triumphed over SpVgg Unterhaching on March 15, 2025, during the much-anticipated S-Bahn derby, solidifying their upward trend in the league.
After facing early setbacks, including conceding a goal just eight minutes in, 1860 managed to turn the game around, securing their third victory out of the last four matches, which has significantly bolstered their position above the relegation zone.
Coach Patrick Glöckner expressed his satisfaction with the win, dubbing it "a liberation" as his team desperately needed the points to distance themselves from the relegation zone. "We are now six points clear of the first relegation spot," he noted after the game, emphasizing the importance of the result not only for the standings but also for morale.
Unterhaching struck first, with Lenn Jastremski capitalizing on 1860's shaky start. "We came out of the gates poorly; the first 20 minutes were absolutely disastrous," Glöckner admitted. Despite dominating possession during those early minutes, 1860 failed to threaten their opponents.
The tide began to turn just before halftime when Lukas Reich brought the home crowd to their feet, scoring the equalizer with a clever lob over Unterhaching goalkeeper Kai Eisele. Glöckner praised Reich's technical achievement, stating, "I am extremely pleased with his goal. He executed it fantastically, it was incredible." Reich himself downplayed the goal's execution, saying, "I took the ball, saw no one free, and thought, why not? I didn’t plan it like this, but it's nice it went in."
After the break, 1860 quickly seized control of the match, and Tunay Deniz’s stunning long-range effort put them 2-1 up. The goal underscored 1860’s resurgence and revitalized their confidence as they continued to push forward. "We needed these points, and doing it at home makes it even sweeter," Glöckner remarked.
Controversy struck around the 70th minute when Maximilian Wolfram received a red card for what Glöckner believed to be minimal contact. "That was incredibly puzzling," Glöckner said of the decision. "It’s absolute nonsense. There were still five or six players behind, meaning it wasn't even close to being tactical fouling — it should have been just yellow." Despite being down to ten men, 1860 held firm, demonstrating resilience to see out the match.
Reich noted, "This match had its fair share of setbacks — the early goal against us, the missed penalty, and now the red card. Therefore, this win is truly remarkable and very important for our confidence. It shows us we can still compete and win. It gives us wings for the next matches." The player looked forward to their upcoming matchup against VfL Osnabrück on March 29, emphasizing the desire to build on their current form.
Although the international break may disrupt their rhythm temporarily, the squad is eager to prove their progress on the field during their next league outing. With each match, it is clear 1860 Munich is gathering steam as they fight for survival and strive for greater ambition within the league.
Overall, this victory not only proves to be significant on the scoreboard but also reinforces the belief within the team following a turbulent start to the season. To see them rally back against adversity was nothing short of inspiring.
TSV 1860 Munich continues to look upwards as they prepare for the challenges and opportunities the remainder of the season will bring.