On the 10th matchday of the 3. Liga, Borussia Dortmund II faced off against SpVgg Unterhaching and emerged victorious with a 2:1 scoreline. This match, held at the Sportpark of Unterhaching, was not only important for the standings but also significant as it marked the debut of new coach Heiko Herrlich for the underperforming home team.
The game started without clear advantages for either side, as both teams cautiously explored their opponents. That changed quickly when, in the 29th minute, Kjell Wätjen skillfully capitalized on a counterattack, putting Dortmund II on the scoreboard. After receiving the ball, Wätjen drove forward and, aided by clever buildup play, launched his right-footed shot off the left post and firmly inside the net.
It didn't take long for Unterhaching to react. Just six minutes later, Alexander Leuthard leveled the match. A long throw-in was poorly cleared, allowing Leuthard to volley home from close range, catching Dortmund's defense off-guard. At halftime, both teams had chances but went to the break with the score at 1:1—justly reflecting the competitive nature of the first half.
Upon returning for the second half, it became evident how Borussia Dortmund II sought greater control over the match. With their midfield solidifying its grip, they increasingly pressured Unterhaching's goal. A highlight came during the 75th minute when Dortmund's Elongo-Yombo found himself one-on-one with Unterhaching's keeper, Andreas Heide, whose remarkable reflexes kept the score level with a stellar save.
The decisive moment came late, though, as the match entered its final minutes. A well-executed corner kick led to the second goal for Dortmund II. António Fóti, who had been substituted just moments earlier, was at the right place at the right time. He pounced on the loose ball at the five-meter area and slotted it home, granting Dortmund II the 2:1 lead with only four minutes left on the clock.
Unterhaching, facing the pressure of needing to equalize, threw all their efforts forward. Their attempts were intensified during stoppage time, generating some hopeful moments, including a free kick from 27 meters out, which unfortunately hit the wall. Another strike by Danny Schwabl from about 20 meters narrowly missed the target, exemplifying Unterhaching's frustration.
Despite their relentless endeavors, the home team could not find the net again. The match concluded with Borussia Dortmund II taking all three points, leaving Unterhaching rooted at the bottom of the 3. Liga table.
This latest defeat heightens the crisis for Unterhaching, who have now gone 16 games without securing victory, marking them as the team with the most goals conceded this season. The challenge for Herrlich, now facing the stark reality of his new role, lies not just in managing the squad but also strategizing how to transform their one-dimensional play to turn their luck around.
Meanwhile, the win propels Borussia Dortmund II to the seventh position, momentarily easing their pressure as they continue their push for the top of the table. The contrasting fate for the two teams, exemplified through this encounter, reaffirms the brutal competitiveness of the league.
Looking forward, SpVgg Unterhaching will have to regroup for their next match against FC Ingolstadt, hoping to find the breakthrough they desperately need to spark life back within the squad.