VfL Bochum are through to the last 16 after a real cup fight against FC Augsburg. The decision was only made in the penalty shoot-out, in which VfL keeper Riemann did not save a penalty, but still became a hero.
Despite the 2:0 win against Frankfurt, Bochum coach Thomas Reis opted for a stress management system and brought on six new players from the start. Among them was substitute keeper Esser, who got match practice in the cup and replaced the recently strong Riemann between the posts. The changes on the Augsburg side, however, were limited, even though the Fuggerstädter had recently lost 1:4 in Mainz. Only Maier and Zeqiri made it into the starting eleven, while Gruezo and Cordova had to sit on the bench.
Bochum brought familiar virtues onto the pitch from the start. The hosts were aggressive against the ball, especially in their own half, and VfL tried to get forward via the fast wingers Holtmann and Antwi-Adjei. FCA had a hard time against Bochum, who took the lead with their second chance: Stafylidis took a short corner sharply and precisely to the far post, where Pantovic outpaced Iago and put the ball in the net from close range (12th).
Three goals in five minutes
Four minutes earlier, Hahn had Augsburg’s best chance of the first half, but Esser saved his shot from a corner. The Fuggerstädter were once again trailing, but found their way into the game better and better in the course of the first half. However, Esser was no longer in danger before the final whistle. Since Bochum were hardly present in front either, they went into the break with a 1:0 lead.
The first half was something like the calm before the storm, because the second period was an open exchange of blows. In the 53rd minute, Bochum made it 2:0, Pantovic scored from the edge of the penalty area with a shot into the right corner. FCA, however, was anything but shocked and responded immediately. Oxford headed Maier’s side-footed free-kick into the far corner (56th). Just two minutes later, Augsburg equalised when Vargas pushed a rebound over the line from an acute angle.
Waste of chances in extra time – Riemann comes on for penalty shoot-out
Both teams were open-minded in the following period, with half chances on both sides. But neither goalkeeper had to intervene seriously – and so it went into extra time. There, substitute Gregoritsch from Augsburg had the best chance for the lucky punch, but the Austrian shot past the far post from a slightly acute angle in the penalty area (96th). As Polter and Pantovic also “missed” a blunder by Gouweleeuw (107th), the penalty shoot-out was on after 120 minutes.
All shooters scored before Maier was the last Augsburg shooter to shoot over the goal. Riemann, who was brought on especially for the penalty shoot-out, then took the decisive spot-kick and scored confidently down the left-hand side.
VfL Bochum thus advanced to the next round after a tough cup battle against FC Augsburg. The draw for the DFB Cup Round of 16 will take place on Sunday (6.30 pm). At the same time, Bochum will face Borussia Mönchengladbach in the league. Augsburg will also receive VfB Stuttgart on Sunday (3.30 p.m.)
