Match report

FC Saarbrücken Defeats Verl 4-3 in Thrilling 3. Liga Match

FC Saarbrücken
FC Saarbrücken
4–3
FT
Verl
Verl
May 3, 2025

FC Saarbrücken narrowly defeated Verl in a thrilling encounter, securing the win by a scoreline of 4-3. The match was filled with ups and downs, marked by early goals from Patrick Sontheimer and F. Kruger for FC Saarbrücken, followed by an intense second half where Verl managed to claw back but ultimately fell short.

Key Facts

  • • FC Saarbrücken 4–3 Verl
  • • Goals: Patrick Sontheimer (18'), F. Kruger (penalty, 51', 65'), FC Saarbrücken
  • • Verl goals: D. Steczyk (45'), B. Taz (67'), Niko Kijewski (86')
  • • Red card: Calogero Rizzuto (FC Saarbrücken, 82')

Lineups

FC Saarbrücken

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 13 P. Menzel (G)
  • 17 D. Becker (D)
  • 4 S. Sonnenberg (D)
  • 27 J. Bichsel (D)
  • 2 P. Fahrner (M)
  • 8 M. Zeitz (M)
  • 6 P. Sontheimer (M)
  • 7 C. Rizzuto (M)
  • 29 F. Krüger (M)
  • 10 K. Rabihić (M)
  • 9 K. Brünker (F)

Substitutes

  • 11 M. Multhaup
  • 20 J. Günther-Schmidt
  • 18 L. Wilhelm
  • 39 P. Schmidt
  • 23 T. Civeja
  • 33 T. Schumacher
  • 1 T. Paterok
  • 14 B. Uaferro
  • 37 L. Behr

Verl

Formation: 4-3-1-2

Starting XI

  • 1 P. Schulze (G)
  • 8 P. Kammerbauer (D)
  • 3 T. Köhler (D)
  • 4 D. Mikić (D)
  • 19 N. Kijewski (D)
  • 30 T. Gayret (M)
  • 23 M. Benger (M)
  • 5 T. Baack (M)
  • 10 B. Taz (M)
  • 13 L. Lokotsch (F)
  • 11 D. Steczyk (F)

Substitutes

  • 24 M. Stöcker
  • 28 Y. Otto
  • 20 O. Mhamdi
  • 9 J. Arweiler
  • 27 C. Onuoha
  • 31 K. Gerhardt
  • 21 T. Knost
  • 7 J. Stark
  • 32 F. Pekruhl

Timeline

  1. Verl
    10' Verl Card · Yellow Card
    D. Mikić

    Foul

  2. FC Saarbrücken
    14' FC Saarbrücken Card · Yellow Card
    D. Becker

    Foul

  3. FC Saarbrücken
    18' FC Saarbrücken Goal · Normal Goal
    Patrick Sontheimer · Assist: P. Fahrner
  4. FC Saarbrücken
    34' FC Saarbrücken Goal · Normal Goal
    F. Kruger · Assist: P. Fahrner
  5. FC Saarbrücken
    43' FC Saarbrücken Card · Yellow Card
    Calogero Rizzuto
  6. FC Saarbrücken
    45' FC Saarbrücken subst · Substitution 1
    Off: K. Rabihic · On: M. Multhaup
  7. Verl
    45' Verl Goal · Normal Goal
    D. Steczyk · Assist: Niko Kijewski
  8. Verl
    50' Verl Card · Yellow Card
    T. Kohler
  9. FC Saarbrücken
    51' FC Saarbrücken Goal · Penalty
    F. Kruger
  10. FC Saarbrücken
    65' FC Saarbrücken Goal · Normal Goal
    F. Kruger · Assist: K. Brunker
  11. Verl
    67' Verl Goal · Normal Goal
    B. Taz · Assist: L. Lokotsch
  12. Verl
    68' Verl subst · Substitution 1
    Off: D. Mikić · On: M. Stocker
  13. Verl
    68' Verl subst · Substitution 2
    Off: M. Benger · On: Y. Otto
  14. Verl
    68' Verl subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Patrick Kammerbauer · On: O. Mhamdi
  15. FC Saarbrücken
    75' FC Saarbrücken subst · Substitution 2
    Off: F. Kruger · On: J. Gunther-Schmidt
  16. Verl
    75' Verl subst · Substitution 4
    Off: D. Steczyk · On: J. Arweiler
  17. FC Saarbrücken
    82' FC Saarbrücken Card · Yellow Card
    Calogero Rizzuto

    Foul

  18. FC Saarbrücken
    82' FC Saarbrücken Card · Red Card
    Calogero Rizzuto

    Foul

  19. Verl
    86' Verl Card · Yellow Card
    M. Stocker
  20. FC Saarbrücken
    86' FC Saarbrücken subst · Substitution 3
    Off: K. Brunker · On: L. Wilhelm
  21. Verl
    86' Verl subst · Substitution 5
    Off: T. Kohler · On: C. Onuoha
  22. Verl
    86' Verl Goal · Normal Goal
    Niko Kijewski · Assist: O. Mhamdi

Match Stats

Stat FC Saarbrücken Verl
Fouls 11 11
Pass Accuracy 81% 90%
Offsides 1 2
Red Cards 1 0
Total Shots 10 23
Corners 1 8
Total Passes 258 597
Yellow Cards 2 3
Blocked Shots 0 9
Shots on Target 6 7
xG 2.80 2.25
Shots off Target 4 7
Possession 31% 69%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 209 540
Shots Inside Box 10 12
Saves 4 2
Shots Outside Box 0 11

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Early goals from Patrick Sontheimer and F. Kruger gave FC Saarbrücken a two-goal lead within the first half-hour.
  • ▸ Verl's late surge saw them score three consecutive goals, but they couldn't overcome the early deficit despite reducing the gap to just one goal.