VfL Bochum has collected important points in the relegation battle. Thomas Letsch’s team clearly wins against 1899 Hoffenheim.
VfL Bochum has continued its winning streak in the Ruhr Stadium under coach Thomas Letsch. In the 5:2 (3:0) win against Kraichgau, VfL celebrated their fifth home win in five games, climbed to a non-relegation zone and drew level with TSG on points. Hoffenheim, however, remained without a win in their ninth league game in a row.
In front of 23,700 spectators on Castroper Straße, Philipp Hofmann (22nd), Philipp Förster (30th) and Takuma Asano (40th) gave VfL a comfortable lead – each with a pass from the outstanding Christopher Antwi-Adjei. Hoffenheim came back twice in the second half through Christoph Baumgartner (49′) and Munas Dabbur (77′), but Bochum’s Erhan Masovic (69′) and Moritz Broschinski (83′) made the decision.
While the Westphalians achieved five home wins in a row for the first time since 1997, coach Andre Breitenreiter’s team has been waiting for a league win for 113 days and is sinking deeper and deeper into the relegation battle.
Bochum’s Antwi-Adjei outstanding
Bochum tried from the start to find gaps in Hoffenheim’s defensive network. Oliver Baumann effortlessly fished down Hofmann’s first attempt at goal (9′), shortly afterwards the TSG keeper was able to clear Asano at the last moment (10′) after central defender John Anthony Brooks failed to head the ball back.
Bochum stayed tuned – and was rewarded. First, center forward Hofmann only had to push an exemplary cross from winger Antwi-Adjei over the line, then Förster raised it.
Four break changes at Hoffenheim
Hoffenheim about starting XI debutant Thomas Delaney seemed shocked and had no ideas. Then Bochum struck again, again on a pass from Antwi-Adjei. A through pass from the 28-year-old found the Japanese Asano, who let Hoffenheim’s Stanley Nsoki get out and then overcame Baumann.
After the disastrous first round, Breitenreiter reacted with a quadruple change, shortly afterwards Hoffenheim sensed the dawn again thanks to Baumgartner. As a result, the game became increasingly heated, Bochum’s Masovic increased, Dabbur shortened before substitute Broschinski put the end to his Bundesliga debut.
Bochum initially plays in the round of 16 of the cup
In the round of 16 of the DFB Cup, VfL Bochum hosts Borussia Dortmund (Wednesday, February 8th, 2023 at 8:45 p.m.).
In the Bundesliga, the promoted team continues with an away game against the record champions from Munich (Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 3:30 p.m.). Hoffenheim host Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the same time.