Relegation to the 2nd league: For the 1. FC Saarbrücken, the decades of waiting for the climb could come to an end – for the guests from Braunschweig, the guest appearance should continue.
Matthew Genest-beautiful
The tension, emotions and anticipation are reminiscent of the past season of 1st FC Saarbrücken. To the sensational journey to the semi-finals of the DFB Cup. The floodlight games at home as an outsider, real crime novels on the pitch and pure feeling explosion after the final whistle. But instead of the DFB Cup, this time, this time, this Friday evening, something is about something, After which the fans of the FCS have long been longing for a long time: the return to the 2nd Bundesliga.
Information about the game
When: Friday, May 23, 2025, 8.30 p.m.
Where: Ludwigsparkstadion
Stream: AudioStream on Sportschau.de
A duel with a lot of tradition
Another turbulent third division season of the FCS ended happily this time. After twice in the season, the team of coach Alois Schwartz actually moved in this season On the last matchday on the relegation place. The reward: Two bonus games for promotion to the 2nd league against Eintracht Braunschweig.
“We have a wide chest. We have something to win here,” says FCS coach Schwartz with a view of the first leg. “We look forward to it. These are positive energies that have now been released.” Even if he knew about the opponent’s qualities from the second division, his team only looks at himself.
Menzel back in the FCS goal
In terms of personnel, Schwartz can breathe a sigh of relief compared to the past few weeks. Except for the long -term injured Gourichy, Neudecker, Sardo and Naifi, everyone are fit. Sebastian Vasiliadis, who was able to play 45 minutes against Dortmund II for the first time after his muscle fiber tear, could even be a candidate for the starting eleven.
However, the return of Saarbrücken’s goalkeeper Philipp Menzel become. The 26-year-old missed the last two match days in Aachen and at home against Dortmund due to inflammation that had to be treated with antibiotics.
“Menzel trained well, is pain-free,” said Schwartz at the final press conference, but did not want to finalize his goalkeeper yet. “That is still decided. Godfather [Tim Paterok, Anm. d. Redaktion] Has done his work well. He kept us in the game especially in the second half, ”said the FCS coach about replacement goalkeeper Paterok. Nevertheless, Menzel should be in goal under normal circumstances both in the first and second leg against Braunschweig.
Threaten to lock in the second leg?
Provided that Menzel does not get his fifth yellow card in the first leg on Friday evening. Then he would be closed for the second leg – the same also applies to Joel Bichsel, Lasse Wilhelm, Tim Civeja and Till Schumacher. “However, we will not play with the handbrake on,” said Schwartz.
Some Braunschweig players also threaten possible exposure in the second leg. Sven Köhler, Max Marie, Kevin Ehlers and Ermin Bicakcic are pre -contaminated in the broad -minded central defense of Lower Saxony. The outside players Fabio Kaufmann and Fabio di Michele Sanchez could also be missing in the event of a yellow card on Friday, at the second leg on Tuesday in Braunschweig.
Schwartz: Eintracht trainer change “Shouldn’t disturb us”
For Di Michele Sanchez, this relegation will see again with old acquaintances. Last year he was part of the FCS DFB Cup team, then the switch to harmony in the summer. Although the Lower Saxony have long been one of the best teams of the second half of the second in the 2nd Bundesliga, they now have to worry about the relegation and therefore still about the possible descent.
On two crashing defeats and extreme Weak appearances in Elversberg And at home against the 1st FC Nürnberg, shortly before the relegation games, the change of coach followed. Daniel Schering was released, assistant coach Marc Pfitzner is said to keep the BTSV in the league.
“I am no longer interested in how the 34 game days went before,” says the 40-year-old and issues the motto ‘climbing opportunity instead of descent’: “These are promotion games. We have the chance to qualify for the second division in two games,” says the native of Braunschweig and ex-professional.
All eyes on Philippe?
The 1st FC Saarbrücken has already had the change of coach. Shortly before the end of the season Coach and manager Rüdiger Ziehl stepped back from the sidelines And left Alois Schwartz the office. His balance sheet has been balanced since then. On a strong start with Siegen in Essen and Again followed one Bitter bankruptcy in the Saarland Cup semi-final in Homburg and one Clap in Aachen. The Tremor at home against Dortmund In the end it was enough for the relegation.
The change of coach at the current opponent leaves him cold. “I believe that a new trainer will change one or the other. We have no influence on that now. But that shouldn’t bother us.” In any case, everything around star striker Rayan Philippe will continue to turn in the recently weakening offensive game of the Braunschweig.
The 24-year-old Frenchman is currently 13 goals and 7 templates for the Sturm Lebensversicherung of Lower Saxony and is already associated with Bundesliga clubs. In the event of a relegation, Braunschweig even threatens a Philippe exit without a transfer fee. The remaining league is therefore extremely important for Eintracht Braunschweig.
The Relegation first leg in the SR
The duel of the 1. FC Saarbrücken against Eintracht Braunschweig for the ascent or relegation in the second Bundesliga promises everything. Fight, emotions a real football thriller. The first act on Friday evening in the Ludwigsparkstadion – the outcome uncertain. The tension inevitable.
The kick-off of the relegation first leg is at 8:30 p.m. The SR transfers the game live on SR 3 Saarlandwelle in a special radio broadcast live And in the AudioStream on Sportschau.de. A detailed summary is available after the game on Sr.de.
The SR Info messages on May 23, 2025 also report on this topic.
More about the 1. FC Saarbrücken
