On Saturday, April 26, 2025, the SC Preußen Münster hosted SV Darmstadt 98 at the Preußenstadion in a crucial 2. Bundesliga clash that ended in a tense 1-1 draw. This result leaves Preußen Münster in a precarious position in the relegation battle, now sitting second to last in the league table.
Historically, Münster had an impressive record against Darmstadt in their previous second-division encounters, having never lost in the five matches played. However, the current season has been a different story. Despite their historical advantage, the hosts faced a tough challenge from a resilient Darmstadt side, who have been a thorn in their side in recent meetings.
The match kicked off with both teams feeling the pressure. Preußen Münster, struggling with home form, had only managed to win three of their 15 home games this season, scoring a mere 14 goals. This lack of firepower at home has been a significant concern for head coach Sascha Hildmann. "We need to turn our home ground into a fortress if we want to stay up," he remarked before the match.
On the other hand, SV Darmstadt 98 arrived at the stadium without Matondo-Merveille Papela, who was suspended due to a yellow card accumulation. Papela had been a key player, featuring in 29 of 30 possible matches this season. Despite this setback, Darmstadt still boasted a potent attack led by Fraser Hornby, who had recently scored his third brace of the season against Hannover 96.
The first half was largely uneventful, with few clear chances. The only notable moment came when Darmstadt's Killian Corredor had his shot saved by Preußen's goalkeeper Johannes Schenk in the 27th minute. Just as it seemed the half would end without incident, Darmstadt struck in stoppage time. Luca Marseiler, after a slick interplay with Isac Lidberg, found the back of the net, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead at the break.
As the second half began, the tension heightened. A potential penalty for Darmstadt was revoked after a lengthy VAR review, which left the visitors frustrated. However, the momentum shifted when Joshua Mees, who had been involved in the earlier penalty incident, equalized for Münster in the 62nd minute with a well-placed header.
With the score level, the home crowd erupted, hoping their team could capitalize on the newfound energy. Münster began to assert control over the match, creating several opportunities. A header from Holmbert Fridjonsson struck the crossbar in the 70th minute, leaving the hosts just inches away from taking the lead.
Despite their efforts, Münster struggled to convert their chances into goals, often finding themselves thwarted by a solid Darmstadt defense. The visitors, meanwhile, were content to sit back and absorb pressure, knowing that a draw would secure their safety from relegation.
As the match drew to a close, both teams seemed to settle for the draw. The result left SC Preußen Münster in a dire situation, now needing to fight hard in the remaining matches to avoid relegation. With three games left in the season, every point is crucial. Hildmann's side must regroup quickly if they hope to escape the drop zone.
In the aftermath of the match, Hildmann expressed his disappointment, stating, "We had our chances, but we need to be more clinical in front of goal. Every point counts now, and we have to be ready for the next battle."
For Darmstadt, the draw confirmed their safety in the league, a relief for coach Florian Kohfeldt. "We came here knowing it wouldn’t be easy, but we showed resilience. Now we can focus on finishing the season strong," he said after the match.
As the teams look ahead, SC Preußen Münster will need to address their home form urgently if they are to have any hope of staying in the 2. Bundesliga. The pressure mounts as they prepare for their next fixture, with every match becoming increasingly critical in their fight for survival.
