Arminia Bielefeld have climbed out of the 2. Bundesliga relegation zone and up to 13th place after securing a crucial 3-2 victory away at bottom club Preußen Münster. The win, achieved with three first-half goals, provides a significant boost to their survival campaign with just three matches remaining in the season.
Having started the day in 17th place following Friday's results, Bielefeld responded to an early setback in emphatic fashion. Münster's Yassine Bouchama stunned the visitors with a goal in just the second minute, but the newly-promoted side rallied superbly. Tim Handwerker, the hero of last week's late equalizer against Nürnberg, was instrumental again, providing two assists in a five-minute spell.
Handwerker's deliveries from set-pieces led to goals for Thaddäus-Monju Momuluh and Roberts Uldrikis, turning the match on its head before the half-hour mark. Captain Mael Corboz then extended Bielefeld's lead before the interval, giving his side a commanding 3-1 advantage at the break. The match, largely defined by crosses and dead-ball situations, saw a nervy finish after a Maximilian Großer own goal reduced the deficit, but Bielefeld held firm to claim all three points.
The result lifts the pressure on manager Michał Kniat's team, moving them four points clear of the relegation play-off spot. For Münster, managed by Alois Schwartz, the defeat leaves them eight points from safety and in severe danger of relegation. Their situation is compounded by a daunting final run-in, with their last three fixtures all coming against sides currently in the promotion race.
Bielefeld's victory marks a significant step in their battle to retain their second-tier status after promotion last season. The team's ability to recover from an early deficit and secure an away win under pressure will be a major confidence booster for the decisive final weeks. The focus now shifts to consolidating their position, while Münster face a near-impossible task to avoid the drop.
