Soccer Bundesliga: Bochum duped Bayern

Huge surprise on the 22nd matchday of the Bundesliga: Promoted team VfL Bochum duped the leaders Bayern Munich with a cheeky performance and celebrated a well-deserved home win.

The Westphalians scored all four goals in the first half at 4:2 on Saturday. Robert Lewandowski had put the favorites in front early (9th). But the promoted team from Bochum, who played like unleashed, turned the game around and scored four times before the break through Christopher Antwi Adjei (14′), Jürgen Locadia with a penalty kick (38′), Cristian Gamboa (40′) and Gerrit Holtmann (44′). Lewandowski only managed the goal (75th).

Both teams had to do without their regular goalkeepers. At VfL, Michael Esser took the place between the posts for the injured regular keeper Manuel Riemann. Bayern’s Manuel Neuer – unavailable for a long time after a meniscus operation – was replaced by Sven Ulreich. Defender Niklas Süle, who announced his move to rival Borussia Dortmund a few days ago in the summer, was also in the Munich starting XI.

In front of 8,500 spectators, Bochum bravely tried to take the initiative against the favorites from the start. But Bayern had the first real chance with their first attack – and that led directly to the leader’s lead.

Lewandowski, who converted a Coman pass from six meters out, marked the 0:1 with his 25th goal of the season (9th). Now memories were awakened of the first leg when the newly promoted team lost 7-0 in Munich.

Antwi-Adjei responds to Lewandowski’s goal

But soon no one thought of that anymore. VfL were rewarded for their committed performance with Antwi-Adjei equalizing (14′). Holtmann was sent off Locadia on the left with a steep pass. His cross landed at Antwi-Adjei, who netted from a central position from fourteen meters. Süle wasn’t close enough to his opponent.

The goal made the hosts even bolder. Coach Thomas Reis’ team sought salvation in fast and dedicated attacks, which sometimes lacked precision, but Bayern were so busy on the defensive.

Except for the attack on the opening goal, the guests rarely got the chance they are used to from the record champions. Only Kingsley Coman made dangerous moves with a few dribbles on the left.

Three Bochum goals in six minutes – 4:1!

After half an hour it was almost 1:2. Serge Gnabry fought Maxim Leitsch on the right to the baseline, but Lewandowski’s side kick, which is well worth seeing, was cleared by Gamboa just before the goal line (32′). Five minutes later, the underdog then led. After a handball by Upamecano on the left edge of the penalty area, referee Robert Schröder pointed to the penalty spot.

Although keeper Ulreich was in the right corner, he had no chance against Locadia’s sharp penalty. And it got even worse for Bayern.

Cheeky and confident, Gamboa tunnelled on the right Coman. After a one-two with Patrick Osterhage, the full-back slammed the ball from the edge of the penalty area into the far corner – a dream goal (40′)!

And the unbelievable continued: Only three minutes later, Holtmann also nibbled Upamecano with a tunnel and flicked the ball beautifully from the left edge of the penalty area over Ulreich into the far corner. The league leaders were shocked by VfL’s cheeky performance and went into the dressing room with four goals conceded.

Four goals conceded before the break: Bayern hadn’t seen that for a long time. The last time this happened was in November 1975 at 0: 6 (0: 5) at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Bayern increases the pressure, Bochum is waiting for a counterattack

Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann reacted and substituted Corentin Tolisso for Upamecano. But VfL initially picked up where they left off and even scored again after four minutes, but Antwi-Adjei had previously been ruled offside when he scored.

But Bayern got along better, at least on the offensive, and pushed VfL more and more into their own half. After a through ball, Lewandowski was free in front of Esser, but the goalkeeper was able to push the Pole out so that his shot from a steep angle was cleared by Armel Bella-Kotchap (53′).

The Reis-Elf defended the lead passionately. Bayern tried, but what the Nagelsmann team did on the pitch didn’t look like a real race to catch up.

Even after Lewandowski was able to shorten the lead after a Kimmich free-kick (75′), the Westphalians managed to keep the opponent away from their own goal with skill and great effort. VfL were lucky again when Lewandowski hit the crossbar with a free kick from 22 meters (86′).

But then it was over and the sensation was perfect. The passionately fighting Bochumers managed the big coup against Munich, who didn’t find their game at all that day.

Bochum in Stuttgart, Bavaria against Fürth

Bochum plays next Saturday (19 February 2022, 3.30 p.m.) at VfB Stuttgart, Bayern have to play against SpVgg Greuther Fürth in the league on Sunday (20 February 2022, 3.30 p.m.). Before that, the round of 16 match in the Champions League at RB Salzburg is on Wednesday (9 p.m.).

Source: sportschau.de