Bundesliga relegation match point Düsseldorf: Second division team shoots down VfL Bochum
Fortuna Düsseldorf had a lot to celebrate in the first leg of the relegation match against VfL Bochum
© David Inderlied / DPA
VfL Bochum suffered a bitter home defeat in the first leg of the relegation play-off. Second division team Fortuna Düsseldorf opened the door to the Bundesliga with a clear victory.
Goalkeeper Andreas Luthe stomped into the dressing room, furious with himself, while the rest of the players dragged themselves to their completely disappointed fans with confused faces. After a crushing defeat, VfL Bochum is stumbling towards relegation from the Bundesliga again. Coach Heiko Butscher’s team lost 0:3 (0:1) to Fortuna Düsseldorf after a disappointing performance. In front of 26,000 spectators in the Ruhrstadion – including big-name fan Leon Goretzka – Bundesliga 16th-place Bochum were vulnerable defensively and harmless offensively on Thursday evening.
“It’s hard after a game like that, after a 3-0 defeat. The boys should work their asses off,” said Keven Schlotterbeck. “We don’t want to get relegated like that.” An unfortunate own goal from VfL striker Philipp Hofmann (13th minute) initiated the defeat. Felix Klaus scored the second Fortuna goal (64th), Yannik Engelhardt the third (72nd). With coach Daniel Thioune, Düsseldorf can complete their promotion on Monday at home against the weak away team from Bochum.
Anything other than VfL’s seventh Bundesliga relegation would be a huge surprise. “We’ll let them celebrate over there and then strike back on Monday,” said Schlotterbeck, fighting back. The Düsseldorf team, however, did not want to celebrate too quickly. “If we score three goals in Bochum, Bochum can do the same in Düsseldorf,” said Marcel Sobottka.
Grönemeyer supports VfL Bochum
Despite the disputes surrounding regular goalkeeper Manuel Riemann, VfL seemed ready for this match and had prominent support. Long before, Pott icon Herbert Grönemeyer had been encouraging the Bochum pros on Instagram: “My heart beats with you and my confidence knows no bounds.” Shortly before kick-off, his Bochum anthem was played over the loudspeakers. Bochum-born Goretzka from FC Bayern also sang along in the stands in a legendary VfL jersey.
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The highest-scoring offense in the second division (72) and the second-worst defense in the first division (74 goals conceded) met on the pitch. In addition, the goalkeeper change in the two most important games of the season posed a certain risk for VfL.
Riemann noise in Bochum
Before the relegation, Riemann had not expressed the desired views on team issues, and the Bochum bosses felt that the line had been crossed. Andreas Luthe moved into goal for the already polarizing Riemann. “He radiates a damn good calm,” praised VfL coach Butscher before the start of the game. He also surprisingly left out captain Anthony Losilla from the starting lineup. “Toto is totally behind it. He will become important,” said Butscher about the veteran.
But it was especially important to get off to a good start in the match against Düsseldorf, who have been unbeaten since February and in 14 games in the second division. VfL, who had slipped into the relegation zone due to 1. FC Union Berlin’s last-minute win on the last matchday, initially managed to do so.
Fortuna Düsseldorf leads early
The hosts were hit all the harder by Düsseldorf’s opening goal, which could hardly have been more unfortunate. Fortuna’s loan player Christos Tzolis curled a corner from the left with a lot of spin to the near post, from there the ball bounced off the thigh of Bochum’s Hofmann and from there into the goal. Luthe was powerless. But VfL was not helpless. A short time later, Bernardo hit the post after a corner, but the ball then ended up in the hands of Fortuna keeper Florian Kastenmeier. After a rather turbulent start on both sides, things didn’t get really compelling until halftime.
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Goretzka also had to worry, especially when the guests from the Rhine almost scored again. Luthe spectacularly parried a shot from Klaus with one hand while he was still in the air. A second goal against VfL and their hopes of remaining in the first division would have been further diminished, so the team could not be too offensive in their efforts to score an equalizer against a relatively cool and, above all, very disciplined Düsseldorf team.
VfL fans angry and disappointed
And then it happened and twice. After an inaccuracy in the attack, Bochum’s defense was exposed. Düsseldorf quickly played forward from their own penalty area, Tzolis set up Klaus and this time he beat Luthe. Butscher also sat on the Bochum bench in consternation for a moment. But things got even worse with the visitors’ third goal, where Luthe didn’t look good. “We want to see you fight,” demanded the VfL fans. It did not help. After the final whistle, the players were met with the anger and disappointment of their supporters. Gesturing wildly, some of them behind the gang vented their anger.
Note: This article has been updated several times.
tkr/Thomas Eßer and Jens Marx DPA
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