Energie Cottbus continues to solidify its position at the top of the 3. Liga table after defeating SV Wehen Wiesbaden 2-1 at home, with nearly 10,600 fans cheering on their team. The match showcased Cottbus's strong offensive capabilities, centering around the talented Tolcay Cigerci, who opened scoring with a stunning goal.
The match commenced with both teams eager to assert dominance, but it was Cottbus who had the first significant chance. Just five minutes in, Timmy Thiele nearly scored but was denied by Wiesbaden keeper Florian Stritzel, providing early tension for the home crowd. Stritzel again proved his worth by stopping attempts from Axel Borgmann and Lucas Copado as the match progressed.
It wasn’t until the 32nd minute when Cottbus finally found the back of the net. Cigerci executed a perfect combination with Thiele, darting through the defense and unleashing a precise shot from the edge of the area, putting Cottbus 1-0 up. The goal ignited the home crowd and established Cottbus's dominance as they continued to pressure Wiesbaden.
Wehen Wiesbaden, who had won their previous two games, regrouped and fought back, matching Cottbus’s intensity. They pushed forward and had their fair share of chances, particularly early on, where they could have easily taken the lead if not for Cottbus's staunch defense. By the end of the first half, Cottbus had managed to take the lead but not without several close calls.
After the break, Wiesbaden intensified their efforts. Their persistence paid off in the 64th minute when Thijmen Goppel capitalized on a miscommunication at the back from Cottbus. The keeper Elias Bethke rushed out to clear the ball but misjudged the situation completely, allowing Goppel to score with ease from 16 meters.
Just when it seemed like the momentum shifted, Cottbus responded swiftly. Only seven minutes after the equalizer, Maximilian Krauß, who had just entered the game, scored the decisive goal for Cottbus to put them back in control. A misplayed pass from Wiesbaden's Felix Luckeneder presented Krauß with the opportunity to slot the ball past Stritzel, and he found the net with precision.
The final stages of the match saw Cottbus defending their lead with tenacity. Despite some late pressure from Wiesbaden, including several attempts to break through, the home side held their ground. Cottbus exhibited solid teamwork and strategy, allowing them to possess the ball and limit their opponent’s chances.
This victory not only secured Cottbus’s lead atop the table, increasing their point advantage to three over nearest rivals Dynamo Dresden, who lost their match against VfB Stuttgart II concurrently. Coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz expressed satisfaction with the team’s display, referencing the challenges posed by Wiesbaden and acknowledging the effort required to regain their lead after the equalizer.
The match also highlighted the defensive capabilities of Cottbus, particularly through key saves from Bethke, who played a pivotal role, especially during Wiesbaden's aggressive openings. Cottbus dominated the offensive stats, leading to their second home win this year, underscoring their ambitions for promotion.
Following this victory, the team prepares for another home match against SC Verl, with fans hopeful for continued success as they strive to maintain their place at the top of the league.
The next matches for SV Wehen Wiesbaden after this encounter will involve tactical adjustments as they aim to climb up the table, commencing with their fixture against Rot-Weiss Essen.