In the duel with direct table rivals FC Augsburg, VfL Bochum lost an important home win shortly before the end. The Bochum team drew 1-1 (1-0) from the guests from Augsburg in the Bundesliga on Saturday (February 3, 2024).
First, Bochum’s Moritz Broschinski gave VfL the lead with a remarkable side kick. Shortly before the end, Augsburg equalized with a hand penalty. Ermedin Demirović converted from the spot. (90.) Coach Thomas Letsch’s team missed a big step towards staying in the Bundesliga, but remained unbeaten in the seventh game in a row in the Ruhrstadion. By winning a point in Bochum, the Swabians are still one point ahead of VfL in the table.
Letsch: “Angry at myself”
“I’m upset with us, or rather with myself, because I made the wrong decisions,” said VfL coach Letsch self-critically. After the lead he would have decided to stand low. “That was the wrong decision in the end,” he said self-critically and was annoyed: “That’s another two lost points.”
The emotional situation at FC Augsburg was completely different: “It was a deserved point win after this second half,” said Augsburg coach Jess Thorup. “We didn’t play our game in the first half,” said Thorup. His team would have done much better in the second 45 minutes. Winning the point means a lot to him. He now understands why he was warned before the away game in Bochum: “That’s why we’re happy with the one point.”
Andreas Kramer, Sportschau, February 3rd, 2024 7:02 p.m
Andreas Kramer, Sportschau, February 3rd, 2024 6:58 p.m
Compared to the 3-1 loss at Borussia Dortmund, Letsch only changed his starting lineup in one position; the recently suspended Bernardo replaced Maximilian Wittek in defense. His counterpart Jess Thorup decided not to make a substitution after a decent performance in the 2-3 win against Bayern Munich.
Bochum dominates the initial phase, Augsburg under pressure
In the Bochum rain, the hosts dominated the initial phase. When they had the ball, they moved forward at lightning speed and continually put Augsburg under pressure. Consequently, the first chance of the game went to the home team: Patrick Osterhage grabbed the ball in his own penalty area and went solo across the entire pitch. In the end, he missed his shot from the best position to the left of the visitors’ goal (9th). In a game that was very tough in the duels, the Bochum team remained the more active team.
Anne van Eickels, Sportschau, February 3rd, 2024 8:24 p.m
The lively Christopher Antwi-Adjei was often sought after with his high pace, but on the rain-soaked surface the teams now had difficulty creating compelling opportunities. And so Bochum’s lead fell out of nowhere in front of 24,500 spectators – and how.
Bochum’s Broschinski with a brilliant side kick
A cross from Antwi-Adjei accidentally landed over several stations at Broschinski, who scored his first goal of the season from close range with a brilliant side kick. The Ruhrstadion was raging, Letsch clenched his hand into a fist several times on the sidelines with a grin on his face. In the second half, the guests acted more offensively, Bochum made pinpricks with counterattacks.
Thorup gestured wildly on the sidelines and repeatedly cheered his team loudly. After an hour, the Dane brought in new offensive signing Pep Biel, but Augsburg’s big chances remained in short supply. On the other hand, Moritz Kwarteng (75th) and Matus Bero (76th) forgave carelessly. This ended up being punished.
Bochum in Frankfurt, Augsburg welcomes Leipzig
Next Saturday (10.02.224) VfL Bochum has to play against Eintracht Frankfurt. Kick-off is at 3:30 p.m. At the same time, FC Augsburg hosts RB Leipzig.