In the end, VfL Bochum was left empty-handed. 86 minutes outnumbered turned out to be too great a handicap for the promoted team, VfL Wolfsburg won 1-0.
More sport – register now for the SPOX newsletter!
In the end, the VfL Bochum kickers were satisfied despite the defeat. “That was fine for the first game of the season,” said attacker Simon Zoller after the 0-1 (0-1) win at Champions League starter VfL Wolfsburg Sky: “We were surprised at the beginning, but then we reacted well. In the second half it was his very, very good away game.”
The new VfL coach Mark van Bommel was able to look forward to a three-point for the Bundesliga debut, even if the great shine was missing. It is significant that the Bochumers were celebrated loudly from the start – despite the defeat.
VfL striker Wout Weghorst made the decision in the 22nd minute. The Dutchman danced out four Bochum defenders and was successful with a low shot from the edge of the penalty area.
VfL Bochum convinced: “They were the better team”
“We were good in the game – and then the long throw-in came and we defended badly, nobody spoke,” said VfL goalkeeper Manuel Riemann, who had previously saved a penalty from Weghorst (5th) and his team after one Shock inspired new courage right from the start.
Because the guests had to do without Robert Tesche from the fourth minute. The defensive player had fended off a header from Renato Steffen with his hand and therefore saw the red card after video evidence. Weghorst then missed the lead. “If you take all the circumstances together, then we were the better team,” said Riemann.
But the game shares were initially clearly distributed after being sent off. Driven by U21 European champion Ridle Baku, who had hit the top of the crossbar after 53 seconds, the hosts dominated the ball and opponents, but without being able to extend their lead until half-time whistle.
The North Germans were clearly trying to forget the bad impressions from the preparation phase with five defeats in a row. Last year’s Bundesliga fourth at Preußen Münster also only got the upper hand in extra time in the DFB Cup.
Because of van Bommel’s failure to change, this victory could be cashed in at the Green Table, negotiations will take place on Monday in Frankfurt / Main. After changing sides, little changed on the grass of the Volkswagen Arena at first. Wolfsburg clearly dominated, but missed several opportunities to extend their lead. Rare relief attacks gave the team of coach Thomas Reis little breathing space.
Nevertheless, the Wolfsburg audience became increasingly restless in the middle of the second half. Even if they were outnumbered, the guests found their way into the duels better and were able to free themselves more regularly from the clasps of the hosts. But it stayed with the VfL victory.