Backhaus’ warnings pay off – Velbert last after first half of the season

Alemannia Aachen has continued its winning streak in the Regionalliga West. In a hard-fought game against bottom-of-the-table Velbert, Aachen won 1-0.

Alemannia Aachen also won at the bottom-of-the-league SSVg Velbert. Dustin Wilms scored the golden goal for the 1-0 victory early in the game (17th minute).

Aachen coach Heiner Backhaus saw the expected difficult game, but praised the performance in half one: “It was a very difficult game for us after an incredibly emotional week. I warned my team about the game all week. And so it was. In the first half, we pressed well and hardly allowed anything. We were in control.”

After half-time, however, Velbert came out with renewed momentum and repeatedly posed a danger in the penalty area. That was also to be expected, as Backhaus revealed: “After we heard the half-time talk from the guest coach, I didn’t really need to say anything more. We knew that the opponents would come out differently from the dressing room. And so it was: Velbert were sharp in the duels and we were left standing. We then had to close the game down through Dustin Wilms. We didn’t concede anything at the back though. That’s what characterizes us at the moment. I have to praise our back line for that.”

Backhaus was particularly impressed by Wilms’ chance. It’s hardly surprising, because the striker was running completely alone towards the goal and the SSVg keeper also seemed to be heading for the wrong corner. But contrary to expectations of a shot on goal, Wilms opted to cross the ball to Anton Heinz, who was then blocked.

Wilms was also annoyed with his wrong decision in the situation: “I should have made the second one too, then I would feel a bit better now. Next time I’ll shoot myself. Then we can take it easy in the last few minutes.”

While Alemannia Aachen moves up to third place for the time being due to the victory, SSVg Velbert is sliding deeper and deeper into the crisis. The last place at halftime of the season is the bitter consequence.

Coach Dimitrios Pappas could not blame his team much: “We expected an Aachen team with a lot of self-confidence. I have to praise my boys. They have held up well. In the phase after halftime, the equalizer must fall. We try everything in every game and fight. Unfortunately, it was not enough against Aachen.”

Velbert will be in action again on Saturday, December 2, when they face SV Lippstadt away from home (2 p.m.). At the same time, Alemannia will be competing against Wuppertaler SV in a rematch of the first leg.