As soon as the ball rolled, however, a fast-paced game between two courageous teams developed immediately. Daichi Kamada had the first big chance, narrowly missing the Bochum goal with his knee (2′). On the other hand, Sebastian Polter, who scored two goals in the first leg to give VfL a 2-0 win, had just had the first goal.
Polter annoys Eintracht again
In the 19th minute, the striker celebrated his third success in Frankfurt this season. Polter headed in a free kick from Kostantinos Stafylidis and made it 1-0 for Bochum. Overall, it was the eighth goal of the season for the 30-year-old, which is a guarantee for the successful season of the promoted team.
A little later he had the great opportunity to make it 2-0. Gerrit Holtmann broke through on the left and passed across to Takuma Asano, whose shot from close range Kevin Trapp was able to parry with a great reflex (24′).
Overall, the guests radiated significantly more danger and managed to fend off the attacks from Frankfurt time and time again with great intensity. A rescue operation would have almost led to a goal. After a cross from Filip Kostic, Armel Bella-Kotchap was lucky that his defense went just inches wide of his own goal (40′).
Two missed shots by Lindström bring luck
At the beginning of the second half there was Bochum’s own goal. After a shot by Jesper Lindström, the ball went off the foot of VfL defender Erhan Masovic and into the net for Frankfurt to equalize (47′).
Shortly thereafter, the ball was back in the Bochum goal. Lindström tried again after a cross from Ansgar Knauff, another player’s foot deflected the ball over the line – Kamada was the lucky one, who easily made it 2-1 for Frankfurt (52nd).
A lot of intensity in the final phase, but little danger of scoring
As a result, a fighting game developed, there were hardly any highlights in terms of play, both teams worked on each other in duels on the ground and in the air. Frankfurt tried to assert themselves in terms of football, while Bochum relied on robustness.
Apart from a Trapp uncertainty when Jürgen Locadia shot (90th) – neither of the two approaches led to great chances. Frankfurt withstood the opposing pressure, but could not use a counterattack to decide. Nevertheless, it was enough for the fourth league home win this season.
Bochum with NRW derby, Europa League duel for Frankfurt
Bochum will open the 27th matchday on Friday evening (March 18th, 2022) with a home game against Gladbach, Frankfurt will only play in Leipzig on Sunday.
Source: sho