5th matchday
Defeat after coaching vortex: Bochum is defeated by Bremen
Bremen’s Niclas Füllkrug (l) in attack against Bochum’s goalkeeper Manuel Riemann. photo
© David Indian song / dpa
Bochum, who were so strong last season, are still in a slump. The team of coach Thomas Reis fights passionately against promoted Werder Bremen, but has no luck up front.
Thanks to two late goals from Niclas Füllkrug, Bundesliga promoted Werder Bremen won at VfL Bochum and the still pointless team of coach Thomas Reis plunged deeper into the crisis.
Bremen defeated VfL 2-0 (0-0). Füllkrug scored in the 86th minute with a header and in injury time with a penalty kick (90+2). After turbulent days with a lot of fuss about Reis, Bochum lost their fifth game of the season in the Bundesliga and remains bottom of the table. After the defeat, Reis continues to come under pressure.
In front of 25,800 spectators in the Ruhr Stadium, Bochum convinced with a fighting spirit, but were too harmless up front and also had bad luck. A supposed goal by VfL striker Philipp Hofmann didn’t count. Another goal by Erhan Masovic was also disallowed.
There had recently been a lot of speculation about Reis, whose contract expires in 2023 and who has not yet been able to agree on an extension with VfL. Among other things, the 48-year-old is said to have considered a move to FC Schalke 04 during the summer break, according to media reports. Reis denied this and was “extremely angry”.
On the other hand, the coach should have liked the initial phase of his eleven against Werder. After just 44 seconds, the very agile Takuma Asano forced Werder keeper Jiri Pavlenka to make a good save. Less than a minute later, a shot from Kevin Stöger flew just wide of the Bremen goal. To the delight of their supporters, Bochum fought passionately for every ball. Reis cheered on the sidelines with his usual gestures and enthusiasm for discussions. However, VfL was no longer a goal threat at first.
Instead, Werder increased. Füllkrug had the great opportunity to take the lead, but was denied by VfL goalkeeper Manuel Riemann (22nd).
The game played mainly in midfield. The fans didn’t get to see many opportunities – until just before the break. First Bremen’s Niklas Schmidt hit a free kick against the post, then Werder defender Anthony Jung saved in dire need from Asano, who was ready to score.
Whilst Bremen played well without the big spectacle of previous games with ten goals and ten goals conceded, at least in some situations, Bochum seemed quite unimaginative. Long balls, the occasional cross from the half field: the Werder defense didn’t have to adjust to much more.
Pavlenka fended off a header from VfL captain Anthony Losilla. After a clash with Asano, the goalie received longer treatment shortly after. But Pavlenka was able to continue playing. Füllkrug then headed Werder just before the end of the game to take the lead and increased the penalty in added time with a penalty kick.
Bochum has the next chance of winning next Saturday against the second promoted team. Then it’s off to Ruhr area rivals FC Schalke 04.