VfL Bochum lost 0: 3 (0: 2) at Werder Bremen and fell back to a direct relegation zone.
Those responsible at VfL Bochum were pissed off. The fear of relegation is growing after the 0: 3 (0: 2) at Werder Bremen. “We have to see that we get the curve as quickly as possible. That’s going to make it difficult,” said sporting director Patrick Fabian, struggling with his own mistakes: “Werder didn’t need a trick to defeat us.”
A week before the Revier relegation derby against Schalke 04 at the bottom, the pros were reasonable. “We have to analyze our mistakes and fix them next week. We want to win with all our might,” said striker Philipp Hofmann.
While the guests went home disappointed, the Bremen team celebrated the 30-point mark. “We were more consistent and more enthusiastic than last time,” said striker Niclas Füllkrug, who had expressed criticism before the match: “I got involved and I’m happy that we showed a reaction.”
National player Füllkrug used the first real chance of the game for his 14th goal of the season (29th). After a long diagonal ball, Anthony Jung served the 30-year-old with a header and the striker converted powerfully with a right-footed shot. Jung also provided the template for Niklas Schmidt’s second goal (43′).
After the change of sides, Marvin Ducksch converted the free kick after a foul on the strong filling jug (59th). “With 30 points, no one has stayed in. We still need points and have to carry on as before,” warned Leonardo Bittencourt.
The home side earned the success with a focused defensive performance and their efficiency in attack. Bochum acted far too harmlessly and incorrectly.
Both coaches had tinkered with new starting formations. Werder coach Ole Werner once again had to do without top preparer Mitchell Weiser. In addition, defense chief Niklas Stark was yellow-banned. For Thomas Letsch, the red suspension of captain and long-running favorite Anthony Losilla was particularly important. Defense chief Ivan Ordets and Danilo Soares also had to wave off due to illness.
Both back teams did not notice the conversion measures at the beginning. Both Füllkrug and his opponent Hofmann had a difficult time in the many duels.
However, the game gained in intensity and the guests, who were initially evenly matched, often sought their way into the penalty area via their lively wingers, as in director Kevin Stöger’s shot (26′). But Bochum remained harmless and Werder struck. Werder keeper Jiri Pavlenka (45′) thwarted Hofmann’s chance to score.
Letsch made an offensive change at half-time and was hoping for fresh impetus from midfielder Philipp Förster. But the guests still lacked the means to develop significant final situations – Werder had everything under control.
Werder Bremen – VfL Bochum: The voices of the game
Ole Werner (Werder Bremen coach): “We allowed very, very little over the 90 minutes. We had a significantly lower error rate offensively, didn’t let Bochum get into the transition game and were very efficient. It was a very mature performance from us and a clear improvement in many areas in the game Compared to the previous games, we want to build on the performance and the result in Augsburg.”
Thomas Letsch (coach VfL Bochum): “Up to 1-0 it was a battle of attrition with no chances to score. Werder took the lead with the first dangerous move. For me it’s significant that we didn’t show the virtues today that are needed in the relegation battle. That means the absolute willingness the will to tackle the duels, to be active and to think one step ahead – Werder were better at that than us. All in all, it was a thoroughly deserved defeat and we have to take credit for a lot of things today, a lot of things that weren’t good. There “There’s nothing to sugarcoat. We have to do things differently as soon as possible. The way we presented ourselves today will make it difficult to win games.”
