Thanks to their outstanding goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe, 1. FC Köln saved a point against VfL Bochum in the Bundesliga on Saturday evening (11/11/23). There were apparently clashes between fans and the police on the sidelines of the game. The game in this basement duel ended 1:1 (1:0).
Lukas Daschner scored for VfL Bochum with a goal (25th), the guests from Cologne had to wait until the 54th minute to celebrate Davie Selke’s equalizer. Bochum had further top-class chances, but missed the winning goal. Both teams retain their places in the table for the time being, Bochum is now 14th with nine points, Cologne remains last in any case.
Apparently clashes between fans and police
According to reports from social media that have so far only been vaguely confirmed, there are said to have been “problems” allowing Cologne fans into the Ruhr Stadium. There is said to have been a police operation and injured Cologne fans. The Cologne fans in the stadium are said to have given up supporting their team because of the events around the stadium.
According to the police, the officers had to assist the stewards in entering the stadium because supporters of Cologne’s “problem fan scene” had exerted great pressure. Pepper spray was also used “for a short time”. The Cologne Fan Help wrote about one on X, formerly Twitter “excessive police action”.
Bochum’s strong start
Compared to the previous games, both coaches only made minor changes to their teams. VfL coach Thomas Letsch brought on Moritz Kwarteng for Moritz Broschinski, while Lukas Daschner replaced the ill Anthony Losilla. Cologne’s Steffen Baumgart had Davie Selke start for Steffen Tigges from the start. The personnel decisions made by both should prove their worth.
Both teams started the game with enthusiasm. However, Bochum showed more determination, Philipp Hofmann tested Marvin Schwäbe in the Cologne goal very early for the first time (2nd). After a quarter of an hour, the guests had their first good chance when Julian Chabot volleyed from the penalty spot into the Bochum goal – Manuel Riemann parried.
As a result, both took on the fight in the intense game, which resulted in many robust duels. Bochum managed to maintain concentration a little better. After a good opportunity from starting eleven debutant Kwarteng, VfL celebrated: Hofmann was denied by keeper Schwäbe, but the ball fell right at the feet of the perfect Daschner, who only had to push in from close range.
Half time two: Swabian, the “witcher”
Bochum kept their line in the second half of the game. And the fact that Cologne didn’t fall behind was only due to one person: Marvin Schwäbe. The goalkeeper made two strong saves against Takuma Asano shortly after the break. Then Davie Selke struck: captain Florian Kainz and Linton Maina delivered the ball from the right to the center forward, who shot powerfully from seven meters.
But Bochum continued to push for the second goal: Daschner hit the post (66th), Kevin Stöger tried a free kick (69th), Asano wanted to capitalize on the rebound, but Schwäbe cleared a total of half a dozen times. On the other hand, Selke was denied by Riemann, who also parried with a good reflex.
In the final phase, Bochum’s Letsch brought in three fresh players to make the threesome perfect. But the rhythm was out of the game, points were shared in Bochum between VfL and FC.
Cologne welcomes Bavaria, Bochum in Heidenheim
1. FC Cologne has Bayern in front of them at the start of the 12th matchday (Friday, November 24th, 2023 at 8:30 p.m.). Bochum travels to Heidenheim on Sunday (3:30 p.m.).