Hansa Rostock celebrated a convincing 3-0 victory against VfB Stuttgart II on January 18, 2025, securing three valuable points as they push for promotion from the 3. Liga. This decisive win marked another setback for Stuttgart II, who are now facing relegation struggles.
The match kicked off at Stuttgart’s home ground, where both teams had hoped to start the new year positively. Early on, the game saw its share of challenges, with players from both sides struggling to maintain possession. Rostock had the first significant opportunity when Sigurd Haugen was awarded a penalty after being fouled by Stuttgart’s Anrie Chase. Unfortunately for the visitors, Haugen’s effort was saved by Stuttgart’s goalkeeper Dennis Seimen.
Despite the missed penalty, Haugen quickly made amends. Just five minutes later, he opened the scoring for Rostock at the 25-minute mark, slotting the ball home from a tight angle after receiving a precise pass from Adrien Lebeau. This goal shifted the momentum in favor of the visitors.
The match continued to follow the same pattern, with Stuttgart struggling to maintain any offensive threat. Rostock’s defense remained organized, effectively nullifying any attempts from the Stuttgart side. Haugen’s second goal came shortly after the second half began, where he capitalized on poor marking during a corner to head the ball home, doubling the lead to 2-0.
With Stuttgart failing to find their rhythm, Hansa Rostock remained the dominant force on the pitch. The final nail in the coffin for Stuttgart came late in the match at the 87th minute when Christian Kinsombi, who had come off the bench, scored Rostock’s third goal after being set up by Ryan Naderi. Kinsombi skillfully weaved past defenders before shooting low and hard past Seimen, solidifying the away victory.
Post-match, Stuttgart’s head coach, Markus Fiedler, reflected on the game’s dynamics. He noted, "We have seen a balanced first half where two transitional moments led to Rostock’s chances." Fiedler’s words echoed the frustrations of the home side, who have now gone ten matches with only three wins this season.
For Rostock, the three points are not just about pride; they represent significant progress as they aim to climb the league table. Currently sitting fourth, they hope to secure outright promotion should their form continue. The team has managed to rebound from earlier struggles, showing determination and strength on the pitch.
The loss, meanwhile, deepens the woes for VfB Stuttgart II, who now find themselves back on the brink of relegation. Following the defeat, they occupy the 17th position on the table, just above the drop zone. With only five wins across 20 league matches, their struggle to stay competitive will require immediate attention if they wish to avoid falling out of the 3. Liga.
Looking forward, the path is clear for both teams. Stuttgart will face TSV 1860 Munich on January 25, 2025, where they need points desperately to steer clear of the relegation threat. Rostock, on the other hand, will play against SV Wehen Wiesbaden, aiming to build on this positive momentum.
Fans of both clubs witnessed the determination of their players, but only the Hansa Rostock supporters walked away satisfied with the day's outcome, celebrating yet another strong display from their team.