Alemannia Aachen recorded an important 2:0 victory against Rot-Weiss Essen at Tivoli Stadium on January 19, 2025, marking the start of the year on a high note for the hosts.
The match, attended by over 30,000 passionate fans—including approximately 4,000 from Essen—had significant stakes for both teams. After the winter break, Alemannia Aachen aimed to strengthen its position mid-table, whilst Rot-Weiss Essen came desperate to secure points to escape the relegation zone.
The first half of the game saw both teams struggle to assert their dominance, resulting in a goalless tie at halftime. RWE, plagued by injuries and illness, were noticeably off form. Missing key player Klaus Gjasula due to illness left Essen lacking creativity and control on the pitch.
After the break, Alemannia found its rhythm and capitalized on RWE’s vulnerabilities. The breakthrough came when Anas Bakhat scored the opener on the 57th minute, taking advantage of poor defensive organization from the visitors. "The ball was not effectively handled, and our goalkeeper saw the ball slip through—complete chaos," reflected Uwe Koschinat, the RWE coach, after the match.
Following the goal, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. Aachen's fans erupted with joy, sensing victory, whilst disappointment washed over the RWE supporters who were left frustrated with their team's lackluster performance. Despite some attempts to equalize, RWE's play lacked conviction, and they failed to create meaningful chances.
The match concluded with Anton Heinz doubling the lead for Alemannia on the 85th minute. Following yet another defensive blunder, Heinz managed to evade his marker and slot the ball home past RWE's goalkeeper. Bochum's struggles were painfully evident as they found themselves second to last on the league table after this defeat.
Post-match, Coach Koschinat expressed deep frustration: "So sieht Kampf um den Klassenerhalt nicht aus. Wir haben heute Anschauungsunterricht bekommen, das tut sehr weh." His candid admission signified the pressure mounting on the players as they face the prospect of relegation looming larger. RWE's inability to form cohesive gameplay as they succumb to the opponents only compounded their worries moving forward.
Alemannia's Coach Heiner Backhaus lauded his team's mental strength and professionalism, saying, "Von seiner mentalen Stärke können auch die anderen Torhüter noch lernen." His comments not only reflected on their recent performance but also emphasized the mindset needed as they look forward to the rest of the season.
Going forward, RWE must regroup quickly as they prepare to host Hannover 96 II at their home ground next week, needing to secure points urgently to avoid the drop. The club's need for restructuring evident from this fixture could spark significant changes on and off the pitch as they seek to recover lost ground.
Meanwhile, Alemannia Aachen's strong showing boosts their confidence after the winter break, and they sit comfortably above the drop zone, with aspirations of climbing higher as the season progresses.