Bundesliga: Bielefeld is teetering on relegation

Arminia Bielefeld lost at VfL Bochum shortly before the end. The Bielefeld team can no longer save themselves on their own.

Due to the 1:2 (1:1) at VfL Bochum, which had already been saved, Bielefeld remains in 17th place in the table, which means direct relegation. Arminia (27 points) need a home win against Leipzig on the last day to save them. At the same time, Stuttgart (29 points) cannot score a point in the last two games against Bayern and Cologne. If Stuttgart won a point, Bielefeld would also have to catch up seven goals. Every Stuttgart victory now means relegation in Bielefeld. Hertha BSC in 15th place can no longer be reached by Bielefeld.

“The boys are just as disappointed as me and the fans. We are now dependent on FC Bayern winning,” said Marco Kostmann, coach of Arminia Bielefeld: “It was a very mixed start for us, the psyche has the physique influenced. We couldn’t get any rest into the game.”

Bochum initially better and in the lead

Bochum was clearly the better team at the beginning, had several chances and took the lead in the 22nd minute. Sebastian Polter headed in Pantović’s cross from the right. Bielefeld’s goalkeeper Stefan Ortega only saved the ball behind the goal line.

The equalizer was all the more surprising: Joakim Nilsson also headed in a Gonzalo Castro free-kick cross from the right-hand field (35′).

Bielefeld strengthened after equalization – but loses

Bielefeld now made the game more balanced and also came out of the break better. The game flattened out significantly in the second half. Bielefeld, however, missed another good chance: Sebastian Vasiliadis passed Burak Ince on the right side of the penalty area – but his shot at the right angle went just wide of the goal (83′). And so Arminia conceded the goal, which almost means relegation: Bochum’s Simon Zoller was free in front of goalkeeper Ortega, in a defensive action Bielefeld’s George Bello steered the ball into his own goal.

“We didn’t take our chances and then there were few chances in the second half. If you make it 2-1 with the last move, that’s just right for the whole season,” said Bochum coach Thomas Reis. “We’re all proud today. It was just a great season.” For VfL Bochum, the relegation battle was no longer about anything. With 40 points, the team is firmly in the middle of the table and will play Union Berlin on the last day of the game on May 14 at 3:30 p.m.

Bochum’s fans celebrate for a long time, especially Robert Tesche

While Bielefeld has to reckon with relegation, the VfL fans celebrated with their team long after the final whistle. Last summer, VfL was promoted from the 2nd Bundesliga.

Robert Tesche was particularly celebrated on his departure – he played a decisive role in Bochum’s promotion towards the end of last season. “We wouldn’t be here without Tesche,” chanted the fans.

Source: sportschau.de