VfL Bochum celebrated their second win in a row. The promoted team deservedly won 2:0 against Eintracht Frankfurt and overtook the Hessians in the table as a result. For the SGE nothing went right, especially in the first half.
That’s what you call a lucky hand. Bochum coach Thomas Reis had two new players in the starting eleven after the 1-0 away win in the basement duel in Fürth – and it was precisely these two who ensured that his team took the lead against the SGE in the 3rd minute. Asano (for Pantovic) played a perfect pass to Blum (for Holtmann) after Polter’s header had been extended – and the ex-Frankfurter scored free in front of his former team-mate Trapp to make it 1:0 for the home team.
Early goal conceded, missed penalty, two injured: Used half for Frankfurt
It was not just the goal they conceded that made the SGE, who fielded the same eleven as in their 3-1 win over Olympiakos Piraeus in the Europa League, look sleepy in the opening minutes. Nevertheless, the Hessians had a great chance to quickly repair the false start: After Riemann had defused a Kostic free-kick (9th), Polter blocked a Paciencia header with his hand after the following corner – after VAR intervention referee Marco Fritz pointed to the spot. Paciencia stepped up and failed with a weak and inaccurate attempt on Riemann, who even managed to hold onto the ball (12.).
The evening became even more bitter for the penalty miss taker, after less than half an hour Paciencia had to leave the field injured and was replaced by Lammers (28.). The fact that Jakic also had to be substituted due to an injury shortly before the break (45th, Rode came on) made a completely used first half perfect from Frankfurt’s point of view – especially as the SGE never really got into the game at any point. Bochum were the more alert and poisonous team, but the promoted team lacked precision in the final third. Apart from a diving header by Polter, which Trapp saved (24th), Bochum didn’t manage to do much offensively either.
Bochum missed chances en masse
But that changed shortly after the restart when Asano caught another sloppy SGE defence napping, but finished too weakly when free in front of Trapp (49th). Shortly afterwards, Polter missed another opportunity (54). As in the first half, Frankfurt had started weakly, but now improved and scored through Rode (57th) and Lammers (58th).
An open game developed, in which Frankfurt changed offensively – and invited Bochum to counterattack again and again. The VfL could have decided the game early on, but missed a number of the best chances: On a counterattack, substitute Holtmann served a completely free Asano, who slipped the ball past (69th), Tuta made a great save against Polter (78th), Rexhbecaj missed miserably when completely free (84th), and substitute Antwi-Adjei failed to beat Trapp (90th).
Inside post prevents SGE equaliser – Polter puts the lid on it
Frankfurt were close to punishing Bochum’s lack of chances, but Kamada’s shot bounced off the inside post and back into the field (86th). Instead, Bochum finally closed the deal in injury time – albeit, significantly, at the second attempt. Substitute Stafylidis failed to beat Trapp, but Polter scored on the follow-up shot to make it 2-0 (90.+2).
The win moved Bochum past Frankfurt in the standings, who still have only one win this season. In the Bundesliga, Frankfurt face Champions League participants Leipzig at home next Saturday (6.30pm), while the SGE have already been eliminated from the DFB Cup. Bochum, on the other hand, are still in the cup competition, with VfL facing FC Augsburg on Wednesday (6.30pm).
