1. FC Union Berlin has made a weakness that has been extremely rare this season. In the bottom of the Bundesliga in Bochum, not even a penalty helps to counter the force of VfL. Ironically, a former Bochumer fails for the table leader from the point.
Deep in the west, Union Berlin’s high-flyers have faltered. After five competitive wins in a row, the league leaders lost 1-2 (0-1) to the previous bottom team VfL Bochum. After the second defeat of the season in the Bundesliga, the iron team’s lead over the resurgent record champions Bayern Munich shrank to one point. Philipp Hofmann with a header (43rd) and substitute Gerrit Holtmann after a perfect counterattack (71st) ensured Bochum’s second three of the season – and new hope in the fight against relegation. After coach Thomas Reis was kicked out, the Westphalians took seven points from three home games.
The Berliners, who play against Braga in the Europa League on Thursday for a place in the knockout stages, lacked their usual effectiveness. Milos Pantovic (78th) failed against his former club with a penalty kick on VfL keeper Manuel Riemann. Pantovic scored the goal too late (90.3).
Four days after reaching the round of 16 in the cup, coach Urs Fischer rotated back to the Bundesliga starting eleven. After six changes compared to the 2-0 win against Heidenheim, Union also played Union football for relegation candidates – and initially left the ball and the initiative to the opponent. Bochum’s new coach Thomas Letsch, who wanted to see his team “disgusting” and beat the Irons at their own game, made only one change after the 1-0 win in the cup at third-division leaders SV Elversberg. Jordi Osei-Tutu stormed on the wing and was immediately noticed with a tireless run against the Berlin back three.
Letsch had demanded a compact defense and quick switching game, but the Irons only allowed a few passes to the top. A header from Hofmann into the arms of Union keeper Frederik Rönnow (27th) was the only offensive action worth mentioning for a long time.
Fischer had to change early because Janik Haberer had to be substituted after 20 minutes after a rude foul by Iwan Ordez. The Ukrainian was lucky not to see a red card for his tackle against Haberer’s foot. Union recorded the first shot on goal after a standard situation: Jordan Siebatcheu failed after a corner with a low shot at Riemann (37th). Following this Berlin recipe, Bochum managed to take the lead, which was not undeserved: Hofmann headed in from a Förster corner. Seconds earlier, Rönnow deflected a shot from Osei-Tutu over the bar.
After the change of sides, ex-Bochumer Milos Pantovic was about to equalize (60′), but the hosts remained the more active team: Osei-Tutu put the ball on the crossbar (62′). Then the fastest attack of the game – almost like the Union model – made it 2-0.
