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With a strong performance, VfL Bochum secured a 4-3 win at Borussia Dortmund on Saturday (04/30/2022). Most importantly, both teams will see each other again next season in the Bundesliga.
In an extremely turbulent game with three penalties and several lead changes, Bochum had the upper hand thanks to Milos Pantovic’s penalty (85th minute).
Sebastian Polter (3rd) and Gerrit Holtmann (8th) gave VfL an early lead before Dortmund managed to turn things around with a hat-trick from Erling Haaland (18th/30th/62nd). Jürgen Locadia (81st) was able to equalize before Pantovic brought Bochum the victory – and above all the stay in the Bundesliga.
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“Those were pure emotions. We made all of Bochum proud. We’ve done great things this season“, said a proud VfL trainer Thomas Reis about the individual and overall success of VfL, while BVB trainer Marco Rose “super disappointed“was and above all struggled with the again weak defensive performance. “When I look at the table and see 50 goals conceded, it’s clear what the core issue is“, so Rose.
Lightning start for Bochum, which is then unlucky
With a double whammy in the early stages, VfL went straight towards staying up. In the third minute Polter scored in true Bochum style to make it 1-0: long ball from goalkeeper Manuel Riemann, Takuma Asano cross, Polter header. A little later, the climber was successful again, but this time with a flat game. Asano hung up again, this time Holtmann shot from 22 meters with a flick into the far corner, which is worth seeing (8th).
However, BVB then found their way back into the game – thanks to the support of the opponent. Due to an unnecessary handball, Haaland was allowed to take the penalty and reduced it to 1: 2 (18th). The Norwegian even equalized twelve minutes later – again with a penalty, again after a handball.
BVB is rewarded for better performance
But Dortmund was also the better team in terms of play after Bochum’s lightning start and had several chances to score more goals. However, Holtmann again had the greatest opportunity to take the lead before half-time, narrowly missing the BVB goal from 18 meters out (44′).
After the break, however, Dortmund were still in control. And after his two penalties, Haaland was there again, but was very lucky again and shot the ball with his left foot to his right knee to make it 3: 2, from where the game device tumbled into the Bochum goal (63′). Previously, Riemann had already prevented the third goal of the BVB striker with a strong act (60th).
Bochum celebrates even before the fall of the Wall
Shortly after the Haaland goal, VfL got back on the offensive, but Polter missed his back-heel trick by a few centimeters to equalize (64th). Despite the result and the fact that coach Thomas Reis’ team found it difficult to create further chances, there was a great atmosphere in the away block. The 8,000 Bochum fans who came celebrated in the certainty that even in the event of a defeat, staying up in the league would have been safe.
But then they were actually allowed to celebrate the equalizer. Locadia defended the ball in the opponent’s penalty area against Manuel Akanji and finished dry to 3: 3 (81st).
But the point of the game was yet to come. Dortmund’s Axel Witsel got the ball on his arm from a cross and there were penalties for the third time in the game – but for the first time for Bochum. Pantovic stepped up and shot VfL to an away win (85th).
Dortmund in Fürth, Bochum against Bielefeld
On Matchday 33, Dortmund are guests in Fürth (Saturday, May 7th, 3:30 p.m.). Bochum welcomes Arminia Bielefeld at home (Friday, May 6th, 8:30 p.m.).
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