Only one point ahead: leader Union Berlin slips up at the bottom of all places.
After the temporary end of the high-altitude flight deep in the west, Urs Fischer disappeared into the cabin as quickly as possible. The fans of VfL Bochum said goodbye to the Union Berlin coach with a gleeful “You can lose against Bochum”. After five competitive wins in a row, the leaders of the table stumbled 1: 2 (0: 1) at the bottom of the table – and were mercilessly beaten with their own weapons.
“It was unnecessary and annoying. We practically scored the first goal ourselves, the second we ran into a counterattack,” said Union’s Rani Khedira DAZN. And because Bochum was successful with Berlin’s strengths, scoring by set piece and with a quick return, Khedira warned: “If you don’t call up the basics, it will be difficult. We just have to push ourselves to the limit in every game.”
While the Irons are only one point ahead of pursuers Bayern Munich, Philipp Hofmann provided a header goal (43rd) and substitute Gerrit Holtmann after a perfect counterattack (71st) for Bochum’s second three of the season – and new hope in the fight against the descent.
“You could tell right from the start that the team had the will. We pressed high, ran at the opponent,” praised VfL coach Thomas Letsch after the second win in the second home game under his direction: “We played a great game and deserved won.”
Milos Pantovic misses a penalty against ex-club Bochum
The Berliners, who play against Braga in the Europa League on Thursday for a place in the knockout stages, lacked their usual effectiveness. Milos Pantovic (78th) failed against his former club with a penalty kick on VfL keeper Manuel Riemann. Pantovic scored too late (90+3). “We’ve had a great season so far, but there will still be days like this in the future,” said captain Christopher Trimmel.
Bochum’s new coach Thomas Letsch, who wanted to see his team “disgusting” and beat the Irons at their own game, made only one change after the 1-0 win in the cup at third-division leaders SV Elversberg. Jordi Osei-Tutu stormed on the wing and was immediately noticed with a tireless run against the Berlin back three.
Letsch had demanded a compact defense and quick switching game, but the Irons only allowed a few passes to the top. A header from Hofmann into the arms of Union keeper Frederik Rönnow (27th) was the only offensive action worth mentioning for a long time.
Union Berlin: Janik Haberer has to get out injured
Fischer had to change early because Janik Haberer had to be substituted after 20 minutes after a rude foul by Iwan Ordez. The Ukrainian was lucky not to see a red card for his tackle against Haberer’s foot. Union recorded the first shot on goal after a standard situation: Jordan Siebatcheu failed after a corner with a low shot at Riemann (37th).
Following this Berlin recipe, Bochum managed to take the lead, which was not undeserved: Hofmann headed in from a Förster corner. Seconds earlier, Rönnow deflected a shot from Osei-Tutu over the bar.
After the change of sides, ex-Bochumer Milos Pantovic was about to equalize (60′), but the hosts remained the more active team: Osei-Tutu put the ball on the crossbar (62′). Then the fastest attack of the game – almost like the Union model – made it 2-0.
VfL Bochum – Union Berlin: The voices
Thomas Letsch (coach VfL Bochum): “You could tell right from the start that the team was willing to get something. We pressed high, ran into the opponent. We played a great game and deserved to win.”
Urs Fischer (Coach Union Berlin): “Bochum was simply better today. They ate us up a bit, we didn’t have the right answers. If the penalty goes in, things will get exciting again. But over the 90 minutes, it’s a deserved victory for Bochum.”
