Rot-Weiss Essen celebrated a home win in the 3rd league at the end of the year, but made things unnecessarily exciting against Ulm.
In Saturday’s 3:2 (2:1) win against SSV Ulm, coach Uwe Koschinat’s team led 2-0 early on after goals from Marek Janssen (12th) and Klaus Gjasula (22nd). Dennis Chessa (32nd) and Elias Löder (54th) brought Kellerkind Ulm back into the game. Kaito Mizuta (62nd) finally scored the victory for RWE.
After the success, Essen is in third place in the table behind SC Verl (2-0 at 1860 Munich), at least until Sunday, thus crowning a strong first half of the season. RWE has 34 points after 19 match days.
Janssen uses Ortag errors
Koschinat had not made any changes to his starting eleven compared to the 0-0 draw against SC Verl. At Ulm, Löder moved into the starting line-up for the suspended Max Brandt.
The game started with chances on both sides. Franci Bouebari had a good opportunity for RWE in the 2nd minute when his direct pass went over the goal after strong preparatory work from Mizuta. On the other hand, a header from Marcel Seegert after a corner landed in the hands of RWE goalkeeper Jakob Golz (3rd). Shortly afterwards, Ulm’s Chessa also got the ball in the Essen penalty area, but his attempt went well past the goal (5th).
Ulm played bravely, but still had to accept the 0-1 lead in the 12th minute. Ulm goalkeeper Christian Ortag misjudged a cross from Tom Moustier. The beneficiary was Janssen, who hit the second post with a volley to give Essen the lead. Mizuta almost increased shortly afterwards, but the Japanese failed to hit the goal in front of Ortag (15′).
Flattering ones RWE lead at the break
With the lead behind them, RWE remained powerful and pushed for the second goal. It fell in the 22nd minute through Gjasula, who headed Jannik Hofmann’s half-court cross into the net to make it 2-0. Ulm’s Seegert was injured in the duel in front of the goal and had to be substituted a short time later (26th).
After half an hour, Ulm had caught himself and became more dangerous. In the 32nd minute, Chessa scored from close range after a cross from Leon Dajaku. Ulm stuck with it and had Golz to thank for Pauli-Philipp Besong not even managing to equalize in the 35th minute. Torben Müsel had another good opportunity for RWE, but was denied by Ortag (40′). In the last minute before the break, Ulm was the better team. Mirnes Pepic narrowly missed making it 2-2 (45th+2).
Mizuta answers Löders Equalizer
The second round began with plenty of fireworks, but only in the Essen block and not on the square. There the SSV came out of the locker room better and earned the equalizer through Löder, who nodded a cross from Chessa into the goal at the second post in the 54th minute. As with the first Ulm goal, the RWE defense didn’t look good again.
The equalizer seemed like a wake-up call for Essen, who were now challenged and moving forward again. In the 62nd minute, RWE took the lead again: Mizuta scored a remarkable volley from 18 meters to make it 3-2.
They miss food Preliminary decision
In contrast to the first half of the game, RWE remained active after this lead and maintained control of the game. Due to numerous player changes, the game became increasingly flat overall. But things got more heated. Five players were shown yellow cards within five minutes, three as a result of a pack formation.
In terms of sport, Marcos Rios-Alonso missed the decision in the 84th minute and substitute Ramien Safi in the 88th minute with good opportunities. In the final minutes, Ulm threw everything forward again. However, RWE was able to prevent another equalizer this time.
RWE at the start in January in Munich
After the winter break, RWE continues with an away game at TSV 1860 Munich on January 17th. Kick-off is at 2 p.m. Ulm welcomes SV Wehen Wiesbaden at the same time.
Our sources:
- Game Rot-Weiss Essen – SSV Ulm on December 20th, 2025 on WDR television
Broadcast: WDR television“Sport in the West live: Rot-Weiss Essen – SSV Ulm”, 12/20/20252 p.m
