Tough first half, then the game was almost abandoned – and then Bochum cheered. VfL beat VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga.
The club from the Ruhr region ultimately had stronger nerves than VfB on a chaotic Saturday evening (January 20, 2024) in the Ruhr Stadium. Bochum won 1-0 (0-0) thanks to Matus Bero’s goal (50th minute). Just five minutes earlier it had been hanging in the balance as to whether the game could even continue.
To the live ticker: Bochum – Stuttgart arrow right 18th matchday arrow right
Stuttgart ultras almost provoke abandonment of the game
Because there wasn’t anything worth mentioning on the pitch, but in the stands. The game was briefly interrupted early on (13th) – the fans protested against the German Football League (DFL) investor deal and threw chocolate coins onto the field. In addition, fence flags were shown that temporarily blocked escape gates and rescue routes in the guest block. Both halves of the game started with a delay.
Before the second half, the VfB Ultras were asked to take down such a banner, but they refused for around 40 minutes. After unsuccessful appearances by Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeneß and license player boss Christian Gentner in front of the curve, the public order office and fire department set out to assess the situation.
A little later the ball was actually placed on the kick-off point – and the second round could be started by referee Bastian Dankert.
Bochum pricks Stuttgart with man-marking
The fans had previously seen a clear distribution of roles in the first half. VfL relied on man-marking and tried to disrupt the visitors’ build-up play early on. For the first time this season, Bochum played with a four-man defense chain of Bernardo, Erhan Masovic, Noah Loosli and Tim Oermann – it worked well. Stuttgart had at least six shots on goal in the first half, but hardly posed any real danger against compact home teams.
There was a lot of patchwork in the Ruhrstadion, interruptions due to 19 fouls – just in the first section – stifled the flow of the game. Bochum’s Bernardo (36th), who has to watch BVB in the next game due to the yellow card, and Philipp Förster (42nd) made a good effort and were warned before the break. But Stuttgart’s Atakan Karazor also came late (35′), he will have to pass in the game against Leipzig because of the consistent yellow card.
Bero takes VfB by surprise after a long break
This was followed by an extremely long break for the professionals because the restart was delayed by 40 minutes. The Bochum players apparently coped better with this – because it didn’t take long until Bero took the lead with only VfL’s second shot on goal after a fine assist from Antwi-Adjej.
The game became a little more open, Stuttgart recovered. Angelo Stiller made a colossal miss in the six-yard box (61′), Deniz Undav hit the post (77′). On the other hand, Antwi-Adjej almost increased for Bochum, who were waiting for the counterattack. But his shot missed the goal (70′), as did Bero’s in the final phase (81′).
Towards the end, Stuttgart pressed again, VfL goalkeeper Manuel Riemann made a brilliant save against Waldemar Anton (85′). Bochum did a lot of running, fought – and took the win in the end.
VfB welcomes Leipzig, Bochum in the derby against BVB
The Swabians face a challenging game against a direct competitor for the international places on matchday 19. Then VfB Stuttgart welcomes RB Leipzig (Saturday, January 27, 24, 3:30 p.m.). VfL Bochum has to survive in the “small Revierderby” against Borussia Dortmund (Sunday, 5.30 p.m.).
