On Saturday, May 3, 2025, Alemannia Aachen faced a crucial match against VfB Stuttgart II in their fight to secure their spot in the third division of German football. The game took place at the WIRmachenDRUCK Arena in Großaspach, where approximately 1,500 passionate Alemannia fans made the trip to support their team.
Alemannia came into this match with a comfortable seven-point cushion above the relegation zone, sitting in 13th place in the league standings. Their last outing had ended in a 1-0 victory against VfL Osnabrück, which had boosted their confidence significantly. Coach Heiner Backhaus was optimistic but cautious about the challenge posed by Stuttgart II, who were fighting to avoid relegation themselves.
Backhaus had previously witnessed Stuttgart II's only away victory of the season in mid-March, a surprising 2-0 win against Saarbrücken. Reflecting on that match, he stated, "They will never be relegated," showcasing his respect for the opponent's capabilities. However, since that victory, Stuttgart had struggled, failing to win in their last five matches.
The match kicked off with Alemannia attempting to assert dominance early on. They recorded their first shot on goal just three minutes in, with Soufiane El-Faouzi's effort saved comfortably by Stuttgart's goalkeeper Dennis Seimen. However, it was Stuttgart who struck first in the 6th minute. Mohamed Sankoh intercepted a pass from Alemannia's Heister, maneuvered past goalkeeper Jan Olschowsky, and assisted Thomas Kastanaras for an easy tap-in into an empty net.
Stuttgart doubled their lead in the 27th minute when Nikolas Nartey scored with a powerful dropkick following a well-placed free-kick delivery into the box. Alemannia found themselves in a precarious position, trailing 2-0 and struggling to cope with Stuttgart's pressing game.
The first half was marked by frustration for Alemannia, who had a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit in the 36th minute. Bentley Bahn was brought down in the box, earning his team a penalty. However, Bahn's poorly executed shot was saved by Seimen, leaving Alemannia trailing at halftime.
After the break, Backhaus rallied his players, and they emerged with renewed vigor. Just five minutes into the second half, Alemannia was awarded another penalty when Sasa Strujic was fouled in the box. Captain Mika Hanraths stepped up and converted the spot-kick, narrowing the gap to 2-1.
Alemannia continued to apply pressure, but their efforts were met with misfortune. Gianluca Gaudino nearly equalized with a volley in the 80th minute, only to be denied by another fine save from Seimen. Just moments later, Daouda Beleme hit the left post with a powerful strike, emphasizing Alemannia's struggles to find the back of the net.
As the match progressed, tensions rose, and in the 90th minute, Alemannia's Strujic received a yellow-red card, leaving his team with ten men for the final moments. Despite their numerical disadvantage, Alemannia fought valiantly but could not find an equalizer, and Stuttgart held on for a 2-1 victory.
This result was a significant boost for Stuttgart in their relegation battle, allowing them to temporarily leapfrog SV Waldhof Mannheim in the standings. Alemannia, now in 13th place, remained seven points clear of the relegation zone but faced potential threats from teams below them, particularly with Mannheim still having three matches left to play.
Looking ahead, Alemannia's next challenge will be a home match against 1. FC Saarbrücken on Saturday, May 10, where they will aim to solidify their position in the league. Backhaus and his players know that every point is crucial as they approach the end of the season.
In the aftermath of the match, Backhaus reflected on the performance, emphasizing the need for improvement in finishing and overall intensity. He praised his squad's spirit and commitment but acknowledged that they must be more clinical in front of goal to secure their safety in the league.
As the season winds down, Alemannia Aachen's journey continues, and while they have avoided relegation for now, the fight is far from over. With their loyal fans behind them, they will strive to end the season on a high note.
