Third league fight: Alemannia Aachen challenges SV Waldhof Mannheim!

Third league fight: Alemannia Aachen challenges SV Waldhof Mannheim!

On Saturday, September 20, 2025, the football teams of Alemannia Aachen and SV Waldhof Mannheim met in the Aachen Tivoli for the eagerly awaited duel. This game was part of the 7th matchday of the 3rd league, which this year is characterized by a variety of exciting encounters. Both teams found themselves in the bottom half of the table after their last two defeats and spectators were keen to see whether their form would change.

The kick-off took place at 2 p.m., led by referee Daniel Bartnitzki. Before the game it was clear that both Aachen and Mannheim had changed their starting eleven: Coach Luc Holtz from SV Waldhof made three changes, while Benedetto Muzzicato from Alemannia Aachen also switched to three positions. Such adjustments are not unusual this season, especially given the economic conditions that shape the 3rd division. Thanks to a new media deal with MagentaSport and ARD, the league is thriving, both in terms of viewership and financial stability. We report on spox.com that the measures taken are based on past Bankruptcies are now having an impact and contributing to the stability of the entire league system.

Tension on the pitch

The first half started promisingly. Aachen set the pace from the first minute. In the first few minutes the spectators celebrated several dangerous actions. Particularly noteworthy was Wriedt's shot, which hit the post, even though it didn't lead to the goal due to an offside position. The hosts' efforts were finally rewarded: in the 45th minute, Castelle scored to make it 1-0. A sharp ball from Wegmann ensured that Aachen went into the break with a narrow lead.

The course of the first half reflected some of the statistics observed on match day: Alemannia Aachen had already scored 7 goals this season, but had also conceded 13. This ensures that 4 out of 5 games produced more than 2.5 goals, while at SV Waldhof Mannheim only 2 out of 5 games met this criterion. Nevertheless, the league is very popular with its diversity and unpredictability, as shown by the increasing number of spectators of 3,115,602 last season, making the 3rd division one of the ones with the most fans in Europe. The DFB also confirms this on [dfb.de](https://www.dfb.de/ePaper/DFB- Saisonreport-3-Liga-202223/).

After the game is before the game

But back to the scene in the Tivoli: With the deficit, SV Waldhof Mannheim went into the second half, in which the team had to accelerate in order to avert the impending defeat. It remains to be seen how the two teams will perform in the coming weeks and whether they can climb the table. There are still exciting encounters ahead of us as the coaches continue to fine-tune their tactics. But those responsible are also challenged off the pitch, because as the last few years have shown, the situation in the 3rd league can change quickly. It is important for the clubs to manage well so as not to get into financial difficulties.

Overall, the game was a testament to the passion and competition in the third division, which, despite its challenges, is cementing its place at the pinnacle of football. It remains to be seen whether things will turn out better for Alemannia Aachen or SV Waldhof Mannheim in the end. The fans are definitely excited about the upcoming games and whether the teams can develop or whether the negative spiral will continue. With that in mind, here’s to an exciting season!

Further details and updates on the results can be found at kicker.de.