With a lot of fight, skill, but also some luck with countless BVB chances, VfL Bochum saved a draw in the derby against Borussia Dortmund.
Bochum coach Thomas Reis made four changes after the 3-2 win in Augsburg, two of them forced: Instead of Esser, Lampropoulos (both bench), Löwen (COVID-19 infection) and Asano (muscular problems), Riemann (fit again after injury), Leitsch, Pantovic and Antwi-Adjei played.
BVB coach Marco Rose, who was not allowed to sit on the bench after his yellow card in the top match against Bayern (2:3) a week ago, made two changes compared to the 5:0 Champions League bye against Besiktas. Starting for Witsel (bench) and Malen (viral infection) were Can and goalscorer Haaland, who had scored two goals in the top flight after coming on as a second-half substitute.
BVB have the chances but only Polter scores
Dortmund had more of the game from the start, but initially had problems to create clear offensive actions against Bochum, who pressed very early at times. This changed after about a quarter of an hour. After a mistake by Riemann in his own penalty area, BVB missed a clear shot (16th). But shortly afterwards, Bellingham, who was served by Haaland, had a free finish in a one-on-one with the VfL keeper, who made a strong save (18th).
Borussia remained more dangerous. Even before Antwi-Adjei forced Kobel to intervene for the first time (29th), Haaland had another very good chance after a little Bellingham solo, which Riemann thwarted again (27th). The fact that Bochum were in the lead at half-time was therefore flattering despite VfL’s fighting performance – and mainly due to Kobel, who was too late against the clever Antwi-Adjei on the left in the penalty area and thus caused a penalty kick. Polter converted safely (40.).
Joker Brandt breaks the spell
The second half began with furious BVB attacks: After Schulz and Reus had scored, Leitsch and Masovic saved once each for the already beaten Riemann (46., 49.). Haaland from the edge of the penalty area and Zagadou with his head just missed (51st, 52nd). In the 54th minute, the ball was finally in the goal after a shot by Wolf. But the supposed 1:1 was revised after a video check by Jöllenbeck – because Bellingham, who was just offside, had probably irritated Riemann in the shooting lane (57.). After a short breather for VfL, the BVB chances continued. Soares saved on the goal line against Reus (63.).
Bochum wavered, but did not fall – until the 85th minute: Haaland, who had been sent up by Reus, cleverly set up for joker Brandt, who volleyed home from a slightly acute angle for the long-deserved equaliser. There was still enough time for a possible winning goal for the superior BVB, but it was not to come, because VfL faced the attacking waves with man and mouse and threw themselves into shots again and again in the final minutes. It was the 14th draw in the 31st match in Bochum between the two teams.
While Bochum already have to play again on Tuesday (20.30) in Bielefeld, the Westphalians have exactly one day more to prepare for the upcoming match. Then it’s at home against SpVgg Greuther Fürth.
