Relegation: VfL Bochum stays within the Bundesliga, Fortuna Düsseldorf in shock | EUROtoday

Status: 23:28 | Reading time: 3 minutes

MWith an unimaginable power efficiency in an exhilarating relegation match, VfL Bochum managed to realize the miracle of staying within the league and snatched what was considered a sure-fire promotion to the Bundesliga from Fortuna Düsseldorf on the final minute. After an virtually hopeless 0:3 deficit within the first leg, Bochum turned the relegation match round within the second leg within the Düsseldorf EM-Arena, which was full of 51,500 spectators, with a 6:5 penalty shootout. Düsseldorf's Takashi Uchino was unfortunate, capturing the twelfth penalty over the objective.

After common enjoying time and additional time, the rating was 3-0 (1-0) on Monday night. In common enjoying time, Philipp Hofmann within the 18th minute and 66th minute and Kevin Stöger (seventieth) pressured additional time with their objectives.

There was sheer horror among the many Fortuna followers who had streamed into the stadium in a terrific occasion temper when the friends celebrated their sensational coup on the pitch. Even earlier than the match, the Fortuna followers had been in a terrific occasion temper. Many pubs within the metropolis supplied the stay broadcast and had been packed.

Two hours earlier than the match, there was a kilometer-long march of followers to the stadium. After 4 years of abstinence, Düsseldorf is once more trying ahead to Bundesliga soccer. But the anticipation didn’t final till the tip. The Düsseldorf staff really let the promotion that was inside their grasp slip away. The Bochum staff, however, may hardly consider their luck, however took full benefit of their alternatives.

Bochum overruns Fortuna

The friends set the tone on the sector. Interim coach Heiko Butscher modified his staff in three positions and put captain Anthony Losilla again within the beginning line-up. Bochum dominated the sport and had their first huge likelihood after a free kick from the excellent Stöger from the left and the opening objective by means of Hofmann, who scored along with his head from 5 meters out.

The hosts had been very cautious up till then and solely managed to get a couple of offensive moments by means of counterattacks and striker Christos Tzolis. As anticipated, coach Daniel Thioune named the beginning eleven that received comfortably in Bochum on Thursday. It took the objective towards them to get up Düsseldorf.

After half an hour, Vincent Vermeij had the possibility to equalize, however narrowly missed. The strain elevated, the assist from the stands even louder. Driven by the robust Marcel Sobottka, the Rhinelanders had some good offensive scenes. Things acquired tough for the friends each time Tzolis was on the assault. Fortuna's striker was unsuccessful in scoring, nonetheless, and his nook kicks didn’t pose a serious menace this time both.

Drama for Fortuna

Centre ahead Hofmann, who solely managed to attain 4 objectives all season, scored the vital 2-0 once more after a cross from Stöger. VfL then gained the higher hand and was additionally awarded a handball penalty after the ball hit Matthias Zimmermann's arm within the penalty space. Stöger transformed the penalty confidently, Fortuna's keeper Florian Kastenmeier had no likelihood.

This implies that Düsseldorf will stay within the second division subsequent yr and must abandon their desires of promotion. The celebrations that had already been deliberate needed to be cancelled. In sporting phrases, the staff will in all probability be with out their finest gamers like Tzolis subsequent season and can face nice competitors of their quest to return to the Bundesliga. Bochum, however, can plan for the fourth yr in a row, however must reorganise their personnel, together with the teaching place.