The SpVgg Bayreuth football team shined brightly as they kicked off their 2025 season with an impressive 3-0 victory against Viktoria Aschaffenburg last Saturday at Hans-Walter-Wild-Stadion. This match marked the beginning of the regular game schedule for the Regionalliga Bayern following the winter break. With this win, Bayreuth temporarily elevated themselves to the second position on the league table.
Despite missing Tobias Weber due to suspension after accumulating five yellow cards, the team delivered a dominant performance, showcasing their prowess from the outset. Marco Stefandl seized the opportunity early on, scoring just three minutes after the whistle blew, following a well-executed corner from Eroll Zejnullahu. The early lead set the tone for the match, and even though Luki Matondo of Viktoria had a chance to level the score with a header shortly thereafter, it went wide.
Bayreuth continued to apply pressure, and their efforts were rewarded again when Benjamin Baier of Viktoria received a red card for fouling Jann George just outside the penalty area. This turning point aided Bayreuth’s cause immensely. Shortly afterwards, Jann-Christopher George managed to find the back of the net following another setup by Jannik Graf, extending the lead to 2-0.
Into the second half, Bayreuth did not ease up. Just five minutes after the break, Marco Stefandl struck again, bringing the score to 3-0 and sealing the fate for the visiting team. Although Bayreuth created numerous more chances—including attempts from George, Stefandl, and Graf—the scoreboard remained unchanged, with the home team successfully defending their lead against the sporadic attacks of Viktoria.
Dr. Nicole Kalemba, managing director of SpVgg Bayreuth, expressed her enthusiasm post-match, noting, “We are very happy with the 3-0 victory at the start of the remaining season. There is still room for improvement, especially with our finishing, but overall it was a strong performance. We hope to keep this momentum going.”
While Bayreuth celebrated their victory, the match wasn’t without its setbacks for other teams. On the same weekend, the U23 team of FC Augsburg faced their own struggles as they squared off against SV Ansbach and endured a tight 2-1 defeat. Taking the field with several squad injuries, Augsburg aimed to press against Ansbach’s strong home efforts. Despite showing resilience and managing to reduce the deficit with Juan Cabrera’s penalty late in the game, their efforts weren’t enough to avoid losses.
FC Bayern Munich II also faced disappointment as they hosted FC Würzburger Kickers, succumbing to a 0-2 defeat, causing them to drop to third place on the table. The match was marked by injuries, as Tarek Buchmann had to leave the field shortly after returning from injury, highlighting the struggles of the young talents within the club. This loss emphasized the competitive nature prevailing within the Regionalliga Bayer, with the top teams contending for every point available this season.
The unsettling loss to Würzburg came after Bayern's recent defeat to 1. FC Schweinfurt and leaves them with considerable ground to recover if they wish to reclaim their position near the top of the table.
Looking back at the matches played this weekend, excitement and disappointment marked the beginning stages of what promises to be another intense season within the Regionalliga Bayern. For teams like Bayreuth, solidifying their place near the top is imperative, as demonstrated by their performance against Viktoria. Whereas teams like Augsburg and Bayern Munich II must regroup swiftly if they hope to turn their seasons around.
Overall, as the Regionalliga Bayern progresses, the performances of all teams will be closely watched, with pivotal matches shaping the course of the season. With the pressure high and stakes raised, every game matters deeply as the battle for promotion and positioning continues.