In a much-anticipated match on March 25, 2025, FC Carl Zeiss Jena secured a much-needed victory against VFC Plauen, winning 2-1 in front of 5,198 fans at the Stadion Jena. This match marked the first home win for Jena under their new coach Volkan Uluc, who returned to the club looking to uplift the team after a challenging start to the season.
The atmosphere was charged as Jena aimed to bounce back following a disappointing exit from the Thüringen Cup. Their performance against Plauen, currently languishing at the bottom of the Regionalliga table, was crucial for morale and standing. The match began with both teams cautiously feeling each other out, but it was Jena that found the first opportunity. In the 6th minute, Benjamin Zank narrowly missed scoring after heading a corner kick from Kay Seidemann.
However, Jena made their pressure count in the 19th minute when Elias Löder scored the opening goal. After a well-placed cross from Alexander Prokopenko, Löder capitalized on a defensive lapse from Plauen to slot the ball home. The hosts maintained their momentum, creating several scoring opportunities but failed to convert them, including a missed shot from Löder in the 34th minute that went over the crossbar.
Plauen struggled to find their rhythm and seemed largely ineffective in the attacking third. Despite showing glimpses of determination, their first half showcased their inability to penetrate Jena's defenses. Their only notable attempt came from Johann Martynets, whose shot was comfortably saved by Jena’s goalkeeper, Marius Liesegang.
The second half saw Jena come out with renewed vigor. Just a minute after the restart, Benjamin Zank had another chance but was thwarted by Liesegang. Jena's persistence paid off when Kay Seidemann scored the second goal in the 50th minute, putting Jena firmly in control. Seidemann's powerful shot from the left flank hit the back of the net, doubling Jena's lead and solidifying their dominance in the match.
As the game progressed, Jena continued to control the play, but their inability to capitalize on additional scoring chances remained evident. Max Winter and Daniel Gerstmayer both had opportunities to extend the lead further but failed to find the net, largely due to solid stops by goalkeeper Jakob Pieles of Plauen.
With Jena seemingly in control, the game took a dramatic turn late on. In the 89th minute, Paul Kämpfer, a substitute for Plauen, scored a late consolation goal, bringing the score to 2-1. This goal gave Plauen a glimmer of hope as they sought an equalizer in the waning moments.
Despite this late surge, Jena held firm during the three minutes of added time and clinched the victory. The win was a much-needed boost for Jena, who had faced challenges this season, including struggles with form and injuries.
Post-match, Uluc expressed gratitude towards the fans for their support. “I want to thank the supporters for coming to the stadium and supporting the team after our cup exit. It’s always tough in this league, and we must remain serious and focused,” said Uluc, who acknowledged the team's need to improve on converting scoring opportunities.
For Plauen, the defeat adds to their woes as they continue to seek their form, still searching for a win this season, having gone over 150 days since their last victory, which came against Greifswald. The loss keeps them firmly at the bottom of the league table, now trailing FSV Luckenwalde by three points, while the gap to FC Eilenburg has stretched to six points.
The upcoming fixtures pose further challenges for both teams. Jena will next face Viktoria Berlin on March 28, while Plauen will look to turn their fortunes around against FC Hertha 03 Zehlendorf on March 30. As the season progresses, Jena aims to build on their recent success, while Plauen desperately needs to find their winning form.
