On March 1, 2025, FC Ingolstadt pulled off a thrilling comeback to defeat SV Sandhausen 2-1 in their latest 3. Liga match held at the Audi-Sportpark. This victory was significant not only for the points but also for lifting the spirits of the team after previous disappointments.
The match began with SV Sandhausen taking the lead early on thanks to Viktor Granath, who scored the first goal of the game at the 25-minute mark. His strike put Ingolstadt on the back foot and raised concerns among the home fans. Despite the early setback, the team maintained their focus on the pitch.
After regrouping, Ingolstadt made some tactical changes, resulting in their players finding their rhythm. A key moment arrived when Pascal Testroet, who was substituted onto the field, scored the equalizer for Ingolstadt at the 71st minute. He nodded the ball past the Sandhausen goalkeeper, marking his first goal for the club. Testroet, reflecting on his header, stated, "Die Begegnung war kein Augenschmaus, aber letztendlich haben wir gewonnen und drei wichtige Punkte geholt. Für mich war es ein tolles Gefühl, diesen Treffer zu erzielen – Tore sind immer das Elixier eines Stürmers." This translated quote highlights the importance of the win and the personal joy he felt scoring.
With the score now tied 1-1, both teams pressed for more goals. But it was Ingolstadt who would find the back of the net again, this time through their top scorer, Sebastian Grønning. He converted a penalty kick awarded during the 86th minute, securing the victory at 2-1. Grønning's performance was another highlight of the match, as he added to his tally for the season and demonstrated his importance to the squad.
The final whistle confirmed Ingolstadt’s success, and the reaction from the coaching staff was one of relief and satisfaction. Kenan Kocak, head coach of Ingolstadt, praised his team’s resilience, remarking on their ability to overcome adversity. "Die Mannschaft ist stets sehr fokussiert: Wir haben als gemeinsame Einheit ein großes Ziel vor Augen," he noted during the post-match press conference.
On the other side, Sandhausen's coach, Sabrina Wittmann, voiced her frustration with the missed opportunities. Her team appeared strong initially but faltered as the game unfolded. Sandhausen's standings have become precarious, as the threat of relegation looms closer following this defeat. They need to find consistency and develop their game strategy to secure points moving forward.
The match provided some excitement for fans, with both sides demonstrating competitive spirit. Gustav Christensen, making his debut for Ingolstadt, shared his thoughts after the game: "Ich freue mich, heute meine ersten 45 Minuten im Dress des FCI gesammelt zu haben. Ich bin in der Stadt schnell heimisch geworden, hier herrscht ein sehr familiäres Umfeld." His enthusiasm for being part of the team was evident, and he expressed optimism about his future contributions to the club.
Overall, this match was more than just three points for Ingolstadt; it marked the start of their resurgence as they aim to climb the league table. The late winning goal not only showcased their determination but also their character as they targeted playoff spots. FC Ingolstadt will now travel to Rostock for their next match, with Testroet confident of continuing their winning run.
Meanwhile, for SV Sandhausen, time is running out to turn their fortunes, as they urgently need to regroup and re-strategize for the challenging weeks ahead. A reflection on this match may just provide the motivation they need to push for survival.