On March 2, 2025, SV Waldhof Mannheim clinched a significant 2-1 victory over Alemannia Aachen at the Carl-Benz-Stadion, securing three points they desperately needed to continue their fight against relegation.
The match took on added importance as both teams found themselves struggling near the bottom of the 3. Liga standings. Mannheim, under coach Bernhard Trares, came off their last match, where they battled to a 1-1 draw against VfL Osnabrück, and Trares was determined not to change his winning formula. He fielded the same starting lineup, hoping to build on their recent home success.
Aachen's coach, Heiner Backhaus, on the other hand, made three significant changes to his squad following their disappointing 2-2 draw against Borussia Dortmund II, bringing Yarbrough, Wiebe, and Heinz onto the pitch instead of Nkoa, El-Faouzi, and Hanraths.
The home side started with intention. Just two minutes in, Felix Lohkemper had a prime opportunity to score but his effort barely missed the target, hitting the left-hand post. Shortly after, Aachen's Anton Heinz also flirted with scoring when he hit the outer post from 20 yards, firing the warning shots of what was to come.
But it was Mannheim who struck first. On the 18th minute, André Becker found the net thanks to precise assistance from teammate Adrian Fein. Becker, positioned perfectly, needed only to tap the ball home from close range, sending the local fans buzzing with excitement. This goal proved pivotal as it shifted the game’s momentum entirely to the home side.
The match continued with Mannheim increasing their offensive presence, and Becker nearly doubled the lead shortly after his first goal but missed narrowly again before halftime. Right before the break, Strujic had the chance to level for Aachen, but his long-range effort was easily collected by Mannheim's goalkeeper Jan-Christoph Bartels, leaving the score at 1-0 as the teams headed to the dressing room.
After the halftime break, Aachen came out with renewed energy, yet they struggled to create any real chances threatening the Mannheim goal. Despite their increased control, it was Becker again who nearly scored, hitting the crossbar with his powerful header from yet another set piece.
Finally, the moment came for another goal. On 68 minutes, Julian Rieckmann, who had come on at halftime, scored by expertly converting Becker’s flick from a free-kick, doubling Mannheim’s lead to 2-0 and giving them some much-needed breathing room.
But the game was not over yet. Aachen, fighting for survival themselves, reacted swiftly. Just eight minutes later, Strujic managed to pull one back after heading home from a corner, making it 2-1, and reigniting the hopes of the visiting fans. This goal brought the visitors back within reach and placed pressure on Mannheim as they scrambled to maintain their tenuous lead.
The final minutes witnessed intense action as Aachen pushed for the equalizer, but Mannheim's defense held firm, expertly blocking several attempts as they maintained their focus under pressure. Following the final whistle, coach Trares expressed his relief, stating, "We are of course very happy about this victory; these are important three points. We showed resilience and played well as a team."
The win moved SV Waldhof to within just one point of escaping the relegation zone, providing newfound hope as they now look forward to their next match away at Rot-Weiss Essen.
Meanwhile, Alemannia Aachen, suffering their sixth consecutive game without victory, now face increased pressure as they risk dropping closer to the relegation spots themselves with just one point above the dreaded line.
This thrilling contest not only showcased the intensity of the relegation battle but also served as a reminder of the passion and determination present within teams fighting for survival.