On matchday 32 of the Bundesliga, BVB lost the small district derby against VfL Bochum 3:4 (2:2). Dortmund initially turned the game around after being 2-0 down thanks to a hat-trick from Erling Haaland, but Bochum not only equalized but also managed to win with a penalty kick.
Thanks to two penalty kicks within twelve minutes, which were only given after a review by VAR and referee Robert Hartmann, Haaland equalized Bochum’s early two-goal lead in the first half (here is the live ticker for the game). In the second half, the Norwegian initially turned the game for BVB with his third goal of the afternoon, but Bochum equalized thanks to a nice ball reception by Jürgen Locadia and a mistake by Manuel Akanji before Axel Witsel provoked the third penalty of the afternoon. Milos Pantovic scored the acclaimed winning goal (85th).
For Bochum it was the first win at BVB since 1998. With the win, VfL made it perfect to stay up in the league. “It’s the culmination of the season,” said the beer-showered Bochum coach Thomas Reis sky: “This is celebrated!” Sports director Sebastian Schindzielorz remarked smugly: “That’s not so bad.”
Dortmund’s players were sometimes whistled at by their fans after the game. Dortmund coach Marco Rose agreed sky: “I can understand people’s anger. But the boys didn’t deserve to be insulted. We had chance after chance. But four goals conceded are of course too many.”
BVB – VfL Bochum: The analysis
VfL Bochum was lurking for a counterattack – and embarrassed BVB shortly after the start of the game. After a nice move by Dortmund’s starting XI debutant Bynoe-Gittens, in which Haaland was offside before his pass, Bochum’s keeper Manuel Niemann aimed his wide kick at Asano. Dortmund’s right-back Raphael Guerreiro was thrown off course by the Japanese with a minimal nudge, Asano’s cross reached Sebastian Polter, who was completely free thanks to a slip by Akanji and heaved the ball into the goal to make it 1-0.
The 2-0 through Gerrit Holtmann in the eighth minute was initiated by the attacker with a pass to Asano himself. Again, Dortmund failed to put pressure on the Japanese, who was able to pass to Holtmann, who made it 2-0 with a wonderful flick (8th).
BVB needed VAR twice, two penalties and two Haalands to level the game and take control from then on. If Pantovic had unluckily touched the ball with his hand before the first penalty (18th), the second penalty decision was a lot harder according to the TV pictures by referee Hartmann.
Haaland had pushed down Rexhbecaj in the fight for position in the penalty area, the Bochumer had touched the incoming ball with his arm while trying to free himself from Haaland’s embrace. Haaland didn’t care: he took the penalty placed in the bottom left corner of the goal. He had placed the first one on the bottom right.
BVB then took control of the game. The passionately defending guests were able to thank goalkeeper Manuel Riemann for not deciding the game earlier. BVB made it 3-2 thanks to Haaland’s third goal, but then failed to get everything clear. In return, Locadia scored to make it 3:3 after a mistake by Akanji, before Pantovic even made it 4:3 with a hand penalty, which suited the game.
A week after the defeat in a direct duel at FC Bayern Munich, the next disappointment for BVB. Bochum is finally saved by the victory.
BVB – VfL Bochum: The voices
Marco Rose (Borussia Dortmund coach): “We’re super disappointed. We reacted well after falling behind. I actually had a good feeling today, but we didn’t score the fourth goal. When I look at the table and see 50 goals conceded, it’s clear what the core issue is is.”
Thomas Reis (coach VfL Bochum): “It was pure emotion. We made the whole of Bochum proud. We achieved great things this season. Let’s see what the night brings.”
BVB – VfL Bochum: The line-ups
Dortmund: Hitz – Wolf (Reinier 84), Akanji, Zagadou, Guerreiro (Rothe 84) – Witsel (Papadopoulos 87), Bellingham – Brandt (Moukoko 87), Reus, Bynoe-Gittens (Passlack 63) – Haaland. – Coach: Rose
Particular incident: Referee Hartmann decides after two video studies on the hand penalties for BVB in the 18th and 30th minute.
Polter made it 1-0 for the fourth time this season in the Bundesliga.
Borussia Dortmund conceded nine goals in the first quarter of an hour in the Bundesliga this season – only FC Augsburg (12) and VfB Stuttgart (11) have more.
Polter scored after just 2:10, the earliest goal in the Bundesliga for VfL Bochum this season.
VfL Bochum have won six penalties in the Bundesliga this season – only Borussia Dortmund (10) and RB Leipzig (8) have more.
The star of the game: Erling Haaland (BVB)
A penalty in the bottom right, a penalty in the bottom left, a winning goal after a one-two with his left leg: the goalscorer was once again in his element. Five of his shots were on target and he converted three. This quota should imitate him first.
The flop of the match: Manuel Akanji (BVB)
The Dortmund central defender played a crucial role in three goals conceded. Slipped away unhappily before the 0:1, didn’t put any pressure on Takuma Asano before the 0:2 and literally refused the duel against Jürgen Leonardo Locadia before the 3:3. It didn’t help that his data was basically orderly.
The referee: Robert Hartmann
The referee from Wangen correctly watched both Bochum handballs in the penalty area again. The second hand penalty for Dortmund was too hard. Hartmann saw Axel Witsel’s handball in front of Bochum’s 4:3 immediately.
