On March 15, 2025, the soccer world witnessed the thrilling S-Bahn derby between TSV 1860 München and SpVgg Unterhaching, where the home team emerged victorious with a score of 2:1 at the Grünwalder Stadion. This match proved to be pivotal for both teams as they navigated the tumultuous waters of the 3. Liga.
The match kicked off at 16:30, and fans packed the stadium, reflecting the intensity of this local rivalry. Unbeknownst to many, the darker clouds of challenge loomed over the visiting team, SpVgg Unterhaching, as they ventured onto the pitch with the burden of relegation fears. Just moments after the whistle, Unterhaching took the lead stunningly. Lenn Jastremski scored for the visitors early on, netting the ball with remarkable precision just eight minutes after play commenced, sending shockwaves through the crowd.
With Unterhaching leading 1:0, the home side, nicknamed the Löwen, rallied together to regain composure. Despite several attempts to equalize, including significant contributions from players like Tim Danhof and Lukas Reich, the Löwen found themselves struggling against Unterhaching's steadfast defense. The pressure mounted, but fortune shifted just before the halftime mark.
At 44 minutes, Lukas Reich displayed exceptional skill, executing an impressive solo effort. He chipped the ball over Unterhaching’s goalkeeper, Kai Eisele, to level the score at 1:1, much to the relief of the home fans. The halftime whistle blew, and both teams left the pitch, aware of the looming second half.
The second half began with renewed vigor. Coach Patrick Glöckner made key substitutions, bringing Julian Guttau and Thore Jacobsen onto the field. It didn't take long for 1860 München to capitalize on their fresh legs. Just minutes later, at 58, Tunay Deniz found the back of the net with his stunning right foot shot from distance, putting the home side up 2:1, and demonstrating the Löwen's tactical evolution.
Despite the momentum on their side, 1860 faced mounting adversity when Maximilian Wolfram was sent off with a red card after receiving two yellow cards, the first for fouls against Unterhaching’s defenders. This incident, occurring at the 73rd-minute mark, forced the Löwen to defend their lead with only ten players on the field.
Unterhaching attempted to exploit their numerical advantage and pushed for the equalizer, but the Löwen’s defense, bolstered by goalkeeper Marco Hiller, stood firm. Hiller, previously shaken by the incident involving pyrotechnics hurled onto the field from the Hachinger fan block, showcased his determination by keeping the ball out of the goal with several key saves.
Despite the tumultuous finish, including several close calls for 1860, the host team managed to maintain their precarious lead until the final whistle. When it blew, the jubilation of home supporters rang through the stadium, marking another important victory for TSV 1860 München.
This derby win was particularly significant for 1860 München, who bolstered their position significantly, now claiming 39 points and moving closer to securing their place for next season. Coach Glöckner expressed pride for his team, highlighting their resilience: "Ten points from four games, that's something to celebrate," he noted during post-match comments, reflecting on their recent claim of form.
Conversely, this defeat deepened the woes of Unterhaching who remained firmly at the bottom of the table with only 19 points from 28 matches. Their chances of survival grew bleak as the team's hopes for relegation battle were dashed with this loss. Haching’s president, Manfred Schwabl, along with coach Heiko Herrlich, are left to ponder how they can turn around a faltering campaign.
The actions on and off the pitch stirred passions on both sides. The referee, Assad Nouhoum, found himself at the center of controversy after several contentious decisions throughout the match. Following the game, Glöckner remarked about one of the key fouls, "Honestly, the rule interpretation doesn't hold up," referring to Wolfram's dismissal and contrasting it to Hachings’ Manuel Stiefler only receiving a yellow card for his more violent tackle later.
Looking forward, TSV 1860 will face VfL Osnabrück on March 29, a match they’ll hope to build on this positive momentum. Meanwhile, Unterhaching desperately needs to regroup as they prepare for another challenge against Alemannia Aachen.
While this match showcased the peak of competitive spirit, it also highlighted the dire straits of Unterhaching, who must rediscover their rhythm quickly if they are to maintain their status within the league. The derby, with all its drama, stands as a defining moment this season; for one club, it solidified their surge toward safety, and for the other, it marked another heartbreaking chapter in their struggle.
Each side now must reassess their strategies as the league approaches its decisive closing phases. Will the Löwen continue to assert their dominance, or can Unterhaching rise from the ashes of despair, reclaiming their chance at victory?