VfL lose 0-2 to Düsseldorf

VfL Bochum 1848 used the international break for a friendly. Second division side Fortuna Düsseldorf were the guests on the training pitches at Castroper Straße. Head coach Thomas Reis rotated his squad to spread out game time. A total of 16 Bochum players were used. Among them were players from our academy: Mohammed Tolba, Leon Tasov and Verthomy Boboy all played against Fortuna. In an even match, VfL ultimately fell to a 0-2 defeat.

Here’s how the game went:

10′ Ten minutes played on the athletics field at anne Castroper. The weather is anything but ideal, but the game is still moving. So far, however, no significant goal actions. Both teams are looking to avoid mistakes.

15′ Free kick Stafylidis from the left side – sharply kicked, Düsseldorf defends safely.

18′ First corner for the guests, safely cleared by the Bochum defence.

20′ Long ball to Locadia – this was the first time today that it became dangerous. Fortuna keeper Kastenmeier comes out in time to save the ball from our Dutchman.

24′ Now the second division team also shoots in the direction of the Bochum goal. Klaus doesn’t really hit the ball from 20 meters, but it goes well over.

28′ What a run by Bockhorn! Our today’s right defender reels off many meters on his side and pushes into the sixteenth – unfortunately, the last pass is blocked.

30′ Osterhage is fouled just before the opponent’s goal line after a strong run. This results in a free kick from a promising position.

31′ The fouled player shoots himself. A good kick, but Osterhage’s free kick just misses the far corner.

31′ Good half hour over. VfL has become more active in the last few minutes, keep it up.

35′ Düsseldorf tries to start a counterattack, but Bockhorn clears the ball. Our number 11 has been convincing all along the line so far.

40′ Löwen corners are often dangerous. However, the visitors’ defense is able to keep out these corners.

43′ The Blue and Whites are pushing for the lead just before half-time. Bockhorn’s cross to the far post rushes through, Stafylidis brings the ball in again, is cleared.

Half-time: 0:0 at the break anne Castroper. After an initial feeling out, both teams became more active. The VfL had the better scoring opportunities, without becoming really compelling. There is still room for improvement in the second half.

46′ Thomas Reis makes three substitutions. Two Bochum boys from the in-house talent pool come onto the field. Leon Tasov makes his debut with the professionals, Mohammed Tolba from the U19 is once again involved. Luis Hartwig is also new to the game. In return, Löwen, Stafylidis and Locadia remain out.

49′ Long ball to Antwi-Adjei. Our winger misses the ball by a hair’s breadth.

51′ Substitute Hartwig – a graduate of our talent program – creates immediate danger. Two corners, twice Hartwig is at the far post. Düsseldorf clears his shot on the line.

53′ Again, the boys fromne Castroper are close to the opening goal. Bonga aims for the far corner, but just misses.

59′ The biggest chance of the game belongs to Düsseldorf, which came as a surprise. After a quick counterattack, Kownacki appears in front of VfL keeper Esser. Our goalkeeper is still on the ball and deflects it to the post.

62′ Now the guests actually take the lead. Substitute Peterson sinks the ball into the back of the net after a deflection. 0-1 to Fortuna.

68′ Double change for VfL. U19 player Boboy and Weilandt replace Tesche and Bonga. This means that head coach Thomas Reis has used all the players in the squad – except for substitute goalkeeper Tjark Ernst.

71′ Well played attack by the blue and white team. Again, Hartwig is in focus after Weilandt serves him with a pass. Kastenmeier holds, but Hartwig was offside anyway.

75′ The guests score again. Again, it is Pederson who beats Esser. It’s 0-2 to Fortuna.

82′ VfL doesn’t give up, but it doesn’t look like the blue and whites will get an equalizer here. Düsseldorf pulls back and defends the lead.

87′ Final offensive from VfL. But there is no way through against the visitors’ defense.

89′ Long ball to Hartwig, is run down.

90′ Another corner for the Blue-Whites. Tolba takes a shot from the back, Fortuna blocks. The game is over.

End: VfL lose 0-2 against Fortuna Düsseldorf. At the start of the second half, the Blue and Whites looked like taking the lead, but Fortuna remained strong and kept their clean sheet. Head coach Thomas Reis was pleased to see three youth players make appearances and put in encouraging performances.

After the international break, we continue with the next Bundesliga match at Hertha BSC Berlin (Friday, February 04, 8:30PM CET).

Interviews:

Thomas Reis (head coach VfL Bochum 1848): “I enjoyed the second half more than the first. On the whole, it’s annoying when you concede two goals on the break. But it’s also a good learning experience. The most important thing is that nobody got hurt. We brought in three youth players again, which is very good. We’ve seen that we have talent, but they also have development potential.