Augsburg steal the points

In the penultimate home game of the season VfL had to succumb to a defeat against both an effective as well as fortunate Augsburg side. The first goal against resulted from a fatal blunder by Maxim Leitsch. Hahn acted clinical in front of the goal and put his team in front (15‘). Shortly before halftime the former Bochum player Gregoritsch extended the lead from the spot (43‘) – a really favourable penalty. 2-0, which was also the final result. Let’s hope for better times next week.

31st matchday, VfL Bochum 1848 had the big chance to ensure staying in the league by their own efforts, when they welcomed direct league competitors FC Augsburg at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion. Ahead of the match the lads had scored four points more than FCA. Compared to the 3-0 defeat in Freiburg, head coach Thomas Reis changed his line-up on four positions. Simon Zoller made his first appearance in the starting eleven after his long-term injury lay-off, Sebastian Polter initially found himself on the subs‘ bench. Furthermore Gerrit Holtmann, Elvis Rexhbecaj and Patrick Osterhage replaced Milos Pantović, Eduard Löwen and Konstantinos Stafylidis (red card suspension).

Here’s how the game went:

1´ Kick-off. Let’s go, lads!

1´ Not even two minutes played Rexhbecaj has been fouled for the first time. Freekick, but no-one’s there to convert.

2´ The special atmosphere has a real impact. Everybody in the stadium is aware what could happen today.

4´ VfL’s first good attacking play. The ball goes from Losilla over Rexhbecaj and reaches Soares. The Brazilian crosses, but his ball into the box moves directly towards the goal and hits the side netting.

5´ What a brilliant move from Gamboa! The right back has already proven several times this season how agile he is. After a sprint of 80 metres including a one-two with Holtmann, Gamboa plays a sharp cross. Asano, who is waiting in the centre, doesn’t connect with the ball properly.

7´ Iago breaks through on the left side and passes into the box, Bella Kotchap clears.

9´ Good freekick position for VfL. Toto was fouled about 20 metres on front of the goal before.

10´ Soares takes the freekick, but the ball goes wide.

12´ VfL are awake and are attacking for an early lead. Rexhbecaj’s effort also misses the target clearly.

13´ No need for Riemann to show any saves so far. But if so, the keeper is on the spot. A sliced shot in the box is saved easily.

15´ It’s their first attempt that puts the visitors in front. Leitsch acts too nervously and heads the ball into the path of Hahn, who lops clinically over Riemann – Augsburg 1, Bochum 0.

18´ Watch out, lads! Toto loses possession in the midfield. Vargas breaks through over the left and sets up for Hahn, who misses the target by a whisker. Corner kick.

23´ The deficit has been swallowed. We start attacking again.

24´ Oxford wins an aerial battle, but fails to score.

26´ Asano centres the ball, but no-one is there to convert.

27´ What a clear-cut chance to draw level! Holtmann plays a through ball to Zoller, who is pushed towards touchline. The striker is again looking for Holtmann, but the ball reaches Rexhbecaj, who does not manage to find the right moment to shoot.

29´ That was close! Toto loses possession, Gregoritsch sees Gruezo, whose effort misses the goal by a whisker.

32´ Corner for VfL, Bella Kotchap gets possession. But his tackle is seen as a foul.

33´ Double chance for VfL. First Zoller’s shot hits Asano, before Osterhage’s rebound can be blocked.

39´ Excellent cross by Gamboa, Zoller is waiting behind Gouweleeuw. But the defender is able to clear.

41´ Penatly for FCA. Soares fouled Caliguiri.

43´ The former Bochum player Gregoritsch converts from the spot. Augsburg 2, Bochum 0.

Half-time: Bochum are 2-0 down at halftime. To be honest, it’s hard to explain why. VfL were having the better start, were pressing forward for the lead. Augsburg made use of Leitsch’s blunder and were awarded a penalty that resulted in their second goal. It’s well-known that the lads have remarkable comeback qualities. So, recharge the batteries and get things going in the second half.

46´ Restart. Both teams enter the pitch unchanged.

47´ Dorsch fouls Osterhage, obviously a yellow card.

49´ Gouweleeuw’s effort after a corner kick is no problem for Riemann.

51´ Holtmann is being pulled on the shirt. Should’ve been a yellow card, but no booking for the player by referee Bastian Dankert.

53´ Bella Kotchap trys it with a long-range shot, but the ball goes far beyond the crossbar.

56´ Asano makes his way toward the goal line, but his cross is too long.

57´ Our coaching staff reacts and does a triple substitution: Polter, Locadia and Blum are sent on, Zoller, Holtmann and Osterhage are out.

58´ Substitutions for Augsburg as well. Niederlechner and Pedersen replace Hahn and Vargas.

61´ Our super subs breath some new life into the game, but haven’t managed yet to cause that much trouble.

65´ Maier is put on for Iago.

67´ That’s kind of crazy how Augsburg are running out the clock. Every little touch takes minutes. Hopefully followed by a steep additional time.

73´ Rexhbecaj sees Gamboa picking up pace and plays a brilliant pass that is cleared for a corner kick.

74´ Locadia enters the box but misses the moment to shoot. Corner kick again.

74´ Our coaching staff do their finale substitutions when Bockhorn and Löwen are brought on for Soares and Rexhbecaj.

75´ Not a minute on the pitch Bockhorn calls attention to himself. After a corner he is waiting unchallenged and shoots, but Gikiewicz fields the ball.

78´ Löwen gets fouled and takes the freekick by himself. Nice one, but Augsburg’s keeper shows a remarkable save.

81´ Another freekick from a central position, properly defended by the visitors.

84´ Augsburg’s Pedersen picks up the second yellow card of the match.

84´ Löwen has breathed some new wind into VfL’s play. A stunning cross, but Polter fails to score.

86´ FCA have a great chance to seal the deal when Caligiuri appears unchallenged in front of Riemann, but the keeper saves. It’s not over yet.

88´ Locadia suddenly gets in possession in the box, but his shot is blocked. Seems like a goal for VfL is not supposed to happen today.

89´ Augsburg make another substitution. Caliguiri and Gruezo out, Uduokhai and Framberger in.

90´ Six minutes of additional time. That’s the least one could expect today.

90´+1 First Locadia then Gamboa with efforts – wide.

90´+3 Riemann acts a little bit sloppy. Gregoritsch gets in possession. But the visitors are longing for the final whistle, not another shot on the goal.

90´+5 A little fight between Gamboa and Gouweleeuw. Both are being shown the yellow card.

90´+6 Two corners for VfL. But it’s final: The final step keeps failing …

Full-time: No points against FCA. Staying up must be postponed. The visitors have earned three points by all available means. That’s football. After more than twelve years VfL will be travelling to Dortmund next week (kick-off: Saturday, 30th April, 15:30 CET).