28 points after 22 matchdays is a remarkable haul, and VfL Bochum’s goal of staying in the relegation zone is coming closer in leaps and bounds (most recently 4:2 against Bayern). However, the promoted team knows that they must not lose their grip on the ground.
If the statistics are anything to go by, the 4:2 spectacle against FC Bayern does not bode well for VfL Bochum. The last eight teams to win against the record champions failed to win the following fixture (three draws, five defeats).
The last club to promptly follow up a win against Bayern with the next treble was Bayer Leverkusen. In 2019/20, the Werkself won first in Munich, then against Schalke (both 2:1). The longest such curse lasted 15 games: From March 1979 to October 1981, the respective Bayern defeater did not win the next match.
Thoms Reis likes to point to such statistics after the high-flying game against Bayern to sharpen his senses for the next task. “Just like against Bayern, we have to show maximum passion in Stuttgart,” says the coach, recalling that VfL “have not often managed to do it for 90 minutes away from home this season the way I would like them to”. Nevertheless, there were also many good phases – “in Leverkusen, in Gladbach, in Augsburg and also at Hertha BSC in the second half.”
Bochum don’t give the impression that last weekend’s 4-2 loss has dulled their senses. “You might think that with 28 points you can feel safe at this point, but my feeling says otherwise,” says Cristian Gamboa, who contributed a dream goal for a 4-1 break lead. “Sure, in the table we are right between a Champions League place and relegation place 16, but of course appearances are deceptive and I know that this table picture doesn’t go to anyone’s head with us. “
