Pantovic provides perfect start

VfL Bochum 1848 celebrated a perfect start to 2022 by beating VfL Wolfsburg. After two spectacular long-range goals in recent weeks, Milos Pantovic restricted himself to a “normal” headed goal after 65 minutes to secure the three points. The newly promoted team now has 23 points to their name.

On match day 18, Thomas Reis made four changes from our defeat to Union Berlin bringing in Armel Bella-Kotchap for the suspended Erhan Mašović, as well as Gerrit Holtmann, Takuma Asano and Cristian Gamboa in place of Christopher Antwi-Adjei, Patrick Osterhage and Konstantinos Stafylidis.

VfL made a statement of intent by going forward from the kick-off with Elvis Rexhbecaj letting fly from distance after just 90 seconds. A minute later, Pantovic teed up for Asano, whose shot was cleared for a corner.

The second string of corner-kicks caused mayhem in the Wolfsburg box with the visitors almost scoring an own goal before Toto Losilla’s bicycle-kick was saved.

Wolfsburg went on the counter-attack in the 9^th minute with Gerhardt’s shot from the edge of the box being saved by Riemann on the second attempt.

After 19 minutes the hosts seemed to have a valid penalty claim when Pantovic was tripped on the edge of the box, but referee Schlager waved play on. Just two minutes later, some great link-up play found Soares 20 yards out but our left-back’s excellent shot with his weaker right foot went narrowly over.

Both teams defended with discipline and concentration and made it difficult for the forwards to find the target. In the 26^th minute, German international Baku hit a dangerous curling effort from the right, but it was deflected just wide of the far post.

Numerous midfield duels made life difficult for the creative departments and both teams cancelled each other out until the half-time whistle went. 0-0 after 45 minutes.

Right from the kick-off, Baku was released down the right again before pulling inside but his shot was too central and an easy prey for Riemann.

In the 47th minute, a long free-kick was met by Toto Losilla, who got the better of two Wolfsburg defenders, but his header was collected by Casteels.

In the 54th minute, it was Ridle again with the next opportunity for the visitors: a long cross from the left was volleyed by the right-back just wide of the far post. Wolfsburg exerted increasing pressure now but VfL Bochum defended passionately with Bella-Kotchap making an important block. The ensuing corner took several deflections with the ball finding Philipp just eight yards out but Gamboa threw himself into the path of the ball for an excellent interception in the 61^st minute.

In the 65th minute, the Bochum counter-pressing paid dividends when they intercepted Wolfsburg’s build-up deep in their half. From the right wing, Holtmann hit a bending cross into the centre where Pantovic got his head to the ball and forced it past Casteels for VfL Bochum to take the lead.

Wolfsburg substitute Nmecha hit a dangerous shot from out wide but saw it saved by Riemann after 69 minutes.

VfL Bochum manager Thomas Reis sent on Antwi-Adjei for the tired Asano and a few minutes later Löwen for Pantovic.

After 87 minutes, Tesche came on for Rexhbecaj, who was suffering from cramp after a tireless performance.

VfL Bochum had several chances to break against a Wolfsburg team pushing forward with the best one falling to Löwen from a great cut-back by Leitsch but his shot after 90+2 minutes hit the outside of the net.

A great start to the New Year with Milos Pantovic once more taking care of the match. We are now on an excellent 23 points before we travel to 1. FSV Mainz 05 for our next match on Saturday, 15. January, 3:30PM CET.