Carl Zeiss Jena U19 1–3 Stuttgarter Kickers U19 | German A-Junioren Bundesliga | May 17, 2026

Match Overview

Stuttgarter Kickers U19 secured a commanding 3-1 away victory over Carl Zeiss Jena U19 on Sunday evening in the German A-Junioren Bundesliga (South/Southwest division). The win strengthened the Kickers' push for a top-four finish, while Jena remain deep in relegation trouble after a disappointing display at the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld.

First Half: Kickers Dominate

From the opening whistle, the visitors showed superior technical quality and tactical discipline. They took the lead in the 12th minute when winger Luca Hermann cut inside from the left and fired a low shot past Jena goalkeeper Felix Marten. The goal settled the Kickers, and they doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark through a well-worked set piece: defender Jonas Meier rose highest to head home a corner from midfield captain Timo Berger.

Jena struggled to create chances against a compact Kickers backline, and their only first-half threat came from a speculative long-range effort that sailed over the bar.

Second Half: Jena Fight Back but Kickers Seal It

The home side came out with more purpose after the break and pulled a goal back in the 52nd minute. Forward Maximilian Köhler pounced on a defensive miscommunication to slot home from close range, giving the 300-strong crowd hope of a comeback. However, the joy was short-lived. Just ten minutes later, Stuttgarter Kickers restored their two-goal cushion when substitute striker Noah Wagner finished off a rapid counter-attack, beating Marten with a composed finish.

Jena pushed forward in the final stages but lacked the cutting edge to threaten further. The Kickers comfortably saw out the match, controlling possession in the final 20 minutes.

Standout Players

• Timo Berger (Stuttgarter Kickers U19) – The captain dictated play in midfield and assisted the second goal from a corner.
• Noah Wagner (Stuttgarter Kickers U19) – The substitute made an instant impact with a clinical finish to seal the win.
• Maximilian Köhler (Carl Zeiss Jena U19) – A bright spot for the hosts, scoring the consolation goal and working tirelessly upfront.

Season Context

The result lifts Stuttgarter Kickers U19 to 31 points from 20 matches, keeping them in contention for a top-three spot in the A-Junioren Bundesliga South/Southwest. Carl Zeiss Jena U19 remain second from bottom with 15 points, now six points adrift of safety with only six games remaining. Their defence has now conceded 48 goals this season – the second-worst record in the division – and survival appears increasingly unlikely.