VfL Bochum has long dreamed of a point against RB Leipzig. Then Leipzig coach Marco Rose Lois Openda came on. Thanks to a highly efficient phase in the second half of the game and three goals within four minutes, RB won 4:1 (1:1) on Saturday (02.03.24).
The crux of the Bochum game was the substitutions of Lois Openda, Yussuf Poulsen and Eljif Elmas in the 65th minute. Until then, an early goal from Maximilian Wittek had made the hosts dream of a point against the Champions League participants.
Wittek had given VfL a 1-0 lead (7′), Dani Olmo had also equalized from distance (30′).
To the live ticker: Bochum – Leipzig arrow right 24th matchday arrow right
Changes turn the game around for Leipzig
VfL under coach Thomas Letsch moved forward courageously and stood up to the Saxons. Up until the break and beyond, the game was balanced and played at eye level. Although Xavi Simons scored once for the guests in the first half of the game, he did so from a narrow offside position (video evidence).
When RBL coach Rose brought Lois Openda, who had recently been so accurate, as well as Poulsen and Elmas into the game, the game tipped in favor of the guests. Haidara saw Opeda go deep three minutes after being substituted, the goalgetter gave VfL substitute keeper Andreas Luthe no chance (68th). Three minutes later, Simons passed the ball in front of the goal from the left, where Bochum defender Ivan Ordets hit his own goal with a long leg.
And then Poulsen too: A minute later it was Simons again who fed Pulsen from the left, who also scored the playful final point with a tackle. Over-motivated and probably frustrated, Moritz Kwarteng was sent off with a red card in the 86th minute after a foul against Openda.
Stephan Küssen, Sportschau, March 2nd, 2024 5:43 p.m
Bochum coach Letsch: “Played a good game for over 85 minutes”
“We played a very good game for 85 minutes,” Letsch told Sportschau after the game, “but in those five minutes we lost the ball too quickly and then the three substitutes really got going. We couldn’t do that defend.”
“That’s not so important,” said Rose about his successful substitution, “I’ve had unfortunate hands before.” And with a view to reaching the Champions League places, Rose said: “This victory was very important today.”
Sports show, March 2nd, 2024 5:40 p.m
Bochum now against Freiburg, RB at Real Madrid and then against Darmstadt
VfL starts the race against SC Freiburg on matchday 25 on Sunday (10.03.24, 3.30 p.m.), Leipzig is already in action against Darmstadt 98 the day before (3.30 p.m.). Before that, RB has to try to make up for the 0-1 deficit at Real Madrid in the Champions League (06.03.24, 9 p.m.).