Bochum remains a power at Castroper Straße. In addition to two jokers, goalkeeper Riemann took centre stage against Hoffenheim in an unfamiliar role – and scored an impressive goal on top of that.
Bochum started better in front of their own fans in a 4-5-1 and took control at the start. However, VfL, with coach Thomas Reis making two changes to his starting eleven after the 2-1 defeat at Borussia Mönchengladbach (Blum and Stafylidis started for Holtmann and Gamboa), were hardly dangerous once. Polter’s blocked attempt from the penalty area (3rd) was the best chance for a long time for the home side, who often tried to score from the outside. Hoffenheim, who were too passive in the first quarter of an hour, had a good chance through Kramaric after 16 minutes. However, he shot just over the top of the box.
Hoffenheim’s Bebou lobs narrowly over
The TSG of coach Sebastian Hoeneß in a 3-5-2 (compared to the 2-0 home win against Hertha BSC with Baumgartner for the injured Geiger) nevertheless found the game better and almost took the lead: However, Bebou’s lob after a strong counterattack only landed on the roof of the goal (19th). Otherwise, however, little happened in the penalty areas in the first half. Blum shot over from an acute angle for Bochum, who were more active for long stretches (35th), and Polter did not react quickly enough (36th) – but that was it. Both keepers did not even have to intervene decisively.
That changed at the start of the second half: a strong long-range shot by Grillitsch (53rd) was well saved by Riemann. A little later, Lampropoulos just saved a dangerous Skov shot (57th). After that, the match picked up speed.
Goalkeepers make strong saves on both sides – Riemann’s penalty goes wide
Bochum’s Löwen forced Baumann into a strong save from a free-kick (62.), but shortly afterwards the ball did find the net: Pantovic found Novothny two minutes after his substitution with a joker co-production, who headed in (66.). The goal was initially disallowed due to an alleged offside position. However, after referee Frank Willenborg had run to the monitor and looked at the scene again, he did give the 1:0.
Shortly before the end of the game, VfL were awarded a penalty kick because Grillitsch unnecessarily pushed the goal scorer in the sixteen (73rd). After several nods by the visitors, the home keeper Riemann missed and put the leather far over the box (76.). This was the eleventh time a goalkeeper had missed a penalty in the Bundesliga.
VfL miss two great chances to make it 2-0 – and then Pantovic comes along!
In the end, Hoffenheim ran in vain while Bochum missed their best chances to decide the game through Asano (90.+1, crossbar) and Holtmann (90.+3). But VfL did get through once – and how: After a TSG corner, where goalkeeper Baumann had rushed forward, the ball landed with Pantovic, who took a shot from his own half and scored impressively in the seventh (!) minute of injury time. The game was over immediately afterwards, with the scorer and his colleagues enjoying a long celebration.
After the international break, Bochum, who went without conceding a goal in their fourth of five home games at Castroper Straße, face Bayer Leverkusen on 20 November. Hoffenheim will host RB Leipzig at the same time.