32nd matchday opened
© Imago
The seventh descent of VfL Bochum from the Bundesliga is getting closer, but the goalless draw was overshadowed by the co-competitor 1. FC Heidenheim, however, of worries about FCH goalkeeper Kevin Müller. The keeper remained seriously injured in front of 15,000 spectators after an air duel. His teammate Tim Siersleben reacted quickly and brought Müller into a stable side position. After a long break, the 34-year-old was brought off the field with a stretcher (60th).
In front of the duels with European Cup candidate FSV Mainz 05 and with promoted FC St. Pauli, the gap of VfL on Heidenheim and the relegation place 16 is more than four points. The relegation was declared as a season goal at the FCH months ago. In its second Bundesliga season, the club from the Ostalb meets the 1st FC Union Berlin and at home on Werder Bremen.
Hecking had previously stated that a large portion of confidence before the possibly decisive game to feel the class. “I like such games. The anticipation of this final is huge,” he said, although his team was only able to record two away wins this season. At Union, VfL was awarded the victory at the green table after the litter of a lighter and against the record champions FC Bayern Munich, the Bochumers cheered over a 3-2 behind in the meantime.
Hecking, whose contract has only existed in the class, should have been even more optimistic after the first few minutes. His team came into play well, VfL striker Georgios Masouras forced Müller to an initial air parade. The Bochumers had set themselves up a lot, but had to digest a first setback in the initial phase. Attacker Philipp Hofmann had to go off the field after eight minutes. But for Leonardo Scienza, too, his first starting eleven mission has not continued in weeks (28th). Heidenheim’s offensive player had also injured himself in an air duel.
Heidenheim’s head coach Frank Schmidt also emphasized the importance of the game. “For us it is also about everything, but not everything or nothing,” he meant. His team, in which the yellow-locked Niklas Dorsch was missing, initially exerted pressure on standard situations. However, the guests managed to defuse the resting balls and to open the game openly. Again and again they developed opportunities – the best awarded for Hofmann, Successful Myron Boadu (32nd). On the other hand, Timo Horn saved from the approaching Marnon Busch (35th).
The second round began with a shock moment. After a violent clash in the 50th minute, Müller had to be treated with Ibrahima Sissoko for around ten minutes before he was brought off the field under encouraging “Kevin Müller” calls. Frank Feller came for him. At first it was visibly difficult for both teams to focus on the relegation battle and football. The hosts acted more dangerous after the long interruption. A Lucky punch, like a week ago at the 1-0 at VfB Stuttgart, was not granted to them because Bochum’s goalkeeper Timo Horn steered a shot from Adrian Beck to the outer post in the 10th minute of stoppage time.