In a thrilling encounter at the Ludwigsparkstadion on Saturday, May 3, 2025, the 1. FC Saarbrücken edged out SC Verl with a dramatic 4-3 victory, keeping their promotion dreams alive in the 3. Liga. This win not only boosts Saarbrücken's morale but also temporarily places them in a promotion playoff spot, though they face the risk of being overtaken by FC Energie Cottbus in the coming days.
The match kicked off at 14:00, with referee Timon Schulz officiating the action. Saarbrücken, under the guidance of new head coach Alois Schwartz, was looking to build on their recent success, having secured a convincing 3-0 away victory against Rot-Weiss Essen just a week prior. Schwartz, who took over following the departure of Rüdiger Ziehl, emphasized the importance of not underestimating SC Verl, a team known for their strong performances away from home.
"The SC Verl makes a lot out of modest means. They are a technically skilled team that solves many situations football-wise," Schwartz noted in the pre-match press conference. His words rang true as the game unfolded, with both teams demonstrating their determination to secure vital points in the race for promotion.
The hosts started the match with a strategic approach, allowing SC Verl to hold the ball while looking for opportunities to counterattack. Early chances came from Saarbrücken, with Kasim Rabihic delivering a dangerous free kick into the Verler penalty area. Captain Manuel Zeitz headed the ball down to Kai Brünker, who unfortunately shot wide from close range in the 5th minute. Just four minutes later, Brünker threatened again, this time with a header that hit the outside of the net.
SC Verl's defense was put to the test early on, and it was evident that Saarbrücken was the more aggressive side in the opening exchanges. The breakthrough came in the 18th minute when Patrick Sontheimer scored with a stunning shot from 14 meters, giving Saarbrücken a 1-0 lead. The momentum shifted slightly after this goal, with SC Verl attempting to find their footing.
Marcel Benger provided a glimmer of hope for the visitors with a shot that sailed just over the bar in the 23rd minute. However, Saarbrücken doubled their lead in the 34th minute when Florian Krüger, who had been thwarted earlier by SCV goalkeeper Philipp Schulze, found the back of the net after a clever assist from Philip Fahrner.
Despite trailing 2-0, SC Verl found a way back just before halftime. Dominik Steczyk, showing great determination, scored in the 45th minute after a well-placed pass from Tom Baack, making it 2-1. This goal injected new life into the visitors as they headed into the break.
The second half began with SC Verl looking to build on their momentum, but a controversial penalty decision in the 51st minute swung the match back in Saarbrücken's favor. A perceived handball by Sven Sonnenberg led to a penalty kick, which Krüger converted, restoring the two-goal lead at 3-1.
As the match progressed, the intensity increased, and SC Verl refused to back down. Berkan Taz, the league's top scorer, brought his team back into contention with a powerful strike in the 67th minute, narrowing the gap to 4-2. Taz's twelfth goal of the season showcased his exceptional talent and determination.
With the clock ticking down, SC Verl continued to press for more goals. Jonas Arweiler had a golden opportunity to make it 4-3 in the 78th minute but squandered the chance, sending his shot high over the bar. Meanwhile, Taz's deflected effort was safely caught by Saarbrücken's goalkeeper Phillip Menzel.
In a dramatic twist, SC Verl found themselves with an extra man when Saarbrücken's Calogero Rizzuto received a yellow-red card in the 82nd minute. This opened the floodgates for the visitors, and Niko Kijewski scored in the 86th minute, making it 4-3 after a chaotic sequence in the penalty area.
As the match entered its final moments, SC Verl pushed hard for an equalizer, dominating possession and creating several dangerous chances. A last-gasp effort from Kijewski in added time was deflected away by Menzel, sealing the victory for Saarbrücken.
Despite the loss, SC Verl's coach Alexander Ende praised his team's resilience. "We showed great character to come back after being down 4-1, but we just couldn’t find that final goal to level the match," he said. The defeat leaves SC Verl with little hope of reaching the coveted fourth place in the league, which would qualify them for the DFB-Pokal.
Looking ahead, SC Verl will host TSV 1860 München on Saturday, May 10, 2025, before wrapping up their season against VfL Osnabrück on May 17. Meanwhile, Saarbrücken will need to maintain their form as they continue to chase promotion, knowing that every point is crucial in the final stretch of the season.
As the 3. Liga season nears its conclusion, the battle for promotion heats up, and fans can expect more thrilling encounters in the weeks to come.
