The fans at Audi-Sportpark witnessed an enthralling match on March 1, 2025, as the FC Ingolstadt 04 staged a remarkable comeback to beat SV Sandhausen 2:1. This victory not only ended Ingolstadt's recent woes but also intensified the battle for points at both ends of the table.
The match kicked off with both teams showing intent, though early opportunities were squandered. The turning point came just before the half-hour mark. Viktor Granath, capitalizing on some disjointed defending from the home side, netted the opener for Sandhausen. Following a clever header setup from David Otto, Granath spun away from two defenders and drilled the ball fiercely past goalkeeper Pelle Boevink, putting the guests 1-0 up at the 26th minute.
Despite the setback, Ingolstadt struggled to find their rhythm, prompting coach Sabrina Wittmann to make tactical adjustments during the break. With her team needing fresh energy, she introduced Gustav Christensen and Pascal Testroet, hoping to ignite their offensive play.
The second half showcased Ingolstadt's newfound vigor. They pressed forward but initially found Sandhausen's defense resilient. Christensen made his presence felt with several threatening runs, though it was Testroet who would bring the scores level. After Felix Keidel's well-placed free-kick found Testroet unmarked at the five-meter box, the forward headed home the equalizer, igniting celebrations among the home crowd. This goal, scored at the 71st minute, was particularly thrilling as it not only marked Testroet’s fourth goal of the season but also represented his resurgence after previous matches.
With momentum on their side, Ingolstadt continued to push for the lead. Their persistence paid off late in the match when they earned a penalty. The decision came after Ryan Malone was fouled by Sandhausen defender Jeremias Lorch inside the box. Referee Max Burda had no hesitation pointing to the spot. Sebastian Grønning, who had been largely quiet throughout the match, seized the moment and confidently stepped up to take the penalty. He expertly slotted the ball beneath the crossbar, restoring productive hope for Ingolstadt and securing his 15th goal of the season.
Though the home side celebrated, Sandhausen wasn’t done yet. They frantically searched for another chance, but Ingolstadt's defense held strong. Boevink delivered several key saves, including a spectacular stop against Patrick Greil’s header during injury time, ensuring his team's narrow victory. Morton’s defensive prowess mirrored what had been lacking earlier, providing the support necessary to maintain the scoreline.
This result sent waves of relief through Ingolstadt’s camp, lifting them closer to the promotion spots as they now sit fourth on the League standings, buoyed by their upward momentum which demonstrated their scoring ability with 51 goals overall this season.
For Sandhausen, the loss continued their struggle, marking their eighth defeat from their last ten matches and pushing the club closer to the relegation zone. Coach Kenan Kocak had highlighted the importance of earning points—his team remains just three points clear of the drop zone and will need to regroup quickly for their next home game against SpVgg Unterhaching.
Moving forward, Ingolstadt aims to carry this newfound confidence as they face FC Hansa Rostock next week, hoping to build on this victory as they strive to ascend the ranks of the table and secure promotion to higher divisions.