Demotion to a lower league or category - VfL Bochum stays in the top tier following their exciting encounter with Düsseldorf.
Fortuna Düsseldorf's players were focused on their teammate and unfortunate casualty Takashi Uchino following the drama of the penalty. VfL Bochum's opponents were almost too drained to celebrate exuberantly.
VfL Bochum, the Bundesliga's third-placed team, managed to achieve the incredible feat of maintaining their class status and stealing the securely assumed promotion from the Rhinelanders in the last minute of a thrilling relegation match. Kevin Stöger, the top Bochum player, said on Sky, "Today, everyone is a hero."
VfL businessman Patrick Fabian said, "Nobody believed in us anymore. That's why I'm incredibly proud of the boys. I'm delighted for the city, for the club, for the fans." Fortuna's sports director Klaus Allofs vowed, "We won't give up. We'll try again." It's a young team that accomplished something extraordinary. For Fortuna, the promotion would have been a significant leap.
Overcoming an apparently hopeless 0:3 deficit from the first leg, Bochum turned the relegation in the packed Düsseldorf EM Arena with 6:5 in the penalty shootout. Uchino of Düsseldorf made the decisive mistake with his missed penalty shot in the overall twelfth penalty. After normal time and overtime, it had been 3:0 (1:0). In normal time, Philipp Hofmann scored in the 18th minute and 66th minute, and Kevin Stöger scored a penalty kick in the 70th minute, forcing overtime.
Among the supporters flooding into the stadium, there was utter disbelief when the visitors celebrated their incredible feat on the field. Many bars in the city had the live broadcast and were packed. Two hours before the game, there was a kilometer-long fan march to the stadium. Düsseldorf had been anticipating Bundesliga football once more after four years of absence. However, the pre-celebration did not last until the end. The Bochumers stole the promotion from the Düsseldorfers' grasp. The Bochumers, on the other hand, could barely believe their luck but took advantage of their chances.
Stöger controls the field
On the field, the guests established the tempo. Interim coach Heiko Butscher made three position changes and brought back captain Anthony Losilla into the starting lineup. The Bochumers were the dominant team and had their first major chance and the leading goal through Hofmann, who headed in from five meters away after a powerful strike from Stöger.
The hosts had been cautious up to this point and only had a few chances in the offensive through Torhunter Christos Tzolis. Trainer Daniel Thioune nominated the projected starting lineup, which had won decisively in Bochum. It took a goal against to awaken the Düsseldorfers.
After 30 minutes, Vincent Vermeij had the equalizing opportunity but missed narrowly. The pressure intensified, and the support from the stands grew louder. Driven by the formidable Marcel Sobottka, the Rhinelanders had some good offensive plays. Tzolis, Fortuna's striker, remained without success and his corner kicks did not create the significant danger this time.
Hofmann scores at the right time
Midfielder Hofmann, who had scored only four goals that entire season, scored the critical 2:0 once more after a cross from Stoeger. Then, VfL Oberwasser was also awarded a penalty kick after Matthias Zimmermann had touched the ball with his hand in the penalty area. Stöger executed the penalty kick confidently, leaving Fortuna's goalkeeper Florian Kastenmeier no chance.
As a result, Dusseldorf will remain in the second league next year and have to abandon their promotion aspirations. The planned celebrations had to be canceled. The team will likely have to present itself without its top players like Tzolis next season and confront powerful competition in their quest to return to the Bundesliga. The Bochumers, on the other hand, can plan their fourth consecutive year in the second division, but they'll also have to reorganize themselves regarding the coach position.
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Source: www.stern.de
