VfL Bochum loses to Mainz and will be relegated from the Bundesliga after 21st defeat
VfL Bochum faces the difficult challenge of relegation to the 2. Bundesliga for the seventh time. Dieter Hecking’s team also struggled against Mainz, losing 4-1. Meanwhile, Bochum leapfrogged Leipzig to sixth place in the Conference League.
It was a game with clear omens on Matchday 33 in Bochum: VfL, four points behind the relegation zone in 16th place, desperately needed a win to maintain any hope of staying up. On the other hand, the visitors from Mainz were also under pressure to pick up three points if they were seventh in the table to once again get into the fight for Europe.
Both Dieter Hecking’s Bochum ( 0-0 in Heidenheim ) and Bo Henriksen’s Mainz ( 1-1 against Eintracht Frankfurt ) had drawn the previous week – and both lost a regular starter early on, who was also absent from the direct encounter. Bochum’s Hofmann was replaced by Boadu after suffering a broken rib and collapsed lung, while Bell replaced Kohr, who had sustained a knee injury. These were the only changes to the starting lineups.
Horn and Ordets save early
While the Bochum fans were still choreographing a tribute to departing captain Losilla, Horn was already in action on the pitch. Mainz captain Burkardt fired an initial shot, which was wickedly deflected. But the VfL keeper stretched and parried it (1′). A short time later, Horn was beaten by a curling shot from Mwene, but Ordets saved on the line (9′).
Bochum were initially too passive, but after 15 minutes, they found their way into the game a bit better – though without creating any threat themselves. Rieß, who was once again standing in for Zentner (thigh problems) in the Mainz goal, made things exciting when he flew wide of a corner, but no Bochum player could get close enough to score (18′). FSV central defender Bell had the best chance for the opposition when he inadvertently shot a ball that had bounced off Bero just over his own goal from 15 meters (23′).
Amiri scores with a free kick
With Bochum struggling to produce much of an attack and Mainz also struggling, both teams headed into the break goalless. But then Krauß fouled Mwene 20 meters from the goal, received a yellow card, and lent Amiri a great free kick. The German international took the chance, lifting the ball over the wall and into the top left corner to take the lead at halftime (45+3).
Mwene’s first goal of the season
Hecking responded with three substitutions, including Holtmann, who at least tested Reiß (47′). Then Mainz came back: After a misplaced pass from Wittek, Nebel was denied by the quick-reacting Horn (48′). Shortly afterward, however, Mwene appeared unmarked in front of the VfL goalkeeper and gave him no chance – 2-0 (53′).
Burkardt crashes the emotional changes
The game petered out a bit, and Hecking created another emotional moment with the substitutions of captain Losilla and Gamboa, who is leaving the club at the end of the season (72nd minute). While Bochum were still singing the praises of their “Toto” Losilla in his 363rd game for the club, Burkardt continued to increase the score. Gamboa’s first move was a poor header clearance. Hong passed to Burkardt, who scored from 17 meters after a one-two with Nebel (73rd minute).
VfL did have one more reason to celebrate, though. Losilla’s cross bounced off de Wit’s shin and from there perfectly into the feet of Holtmann. The left winger converted from 17 meters to make it 1-3 (84′). Mainz, however, again had the shot on goal. Weiper extended a long pass from Rieß for Nebel, who volleyed home in the penalty area (90′ +3′).
VfL fans celebrate despite relegation
VfL’s relegation was thus sealed, but the atmosphere in the Ruhrstadion remained unchanged. Despite everything, the VfL fans sang their praises almost tirelessly. Hecking’s eleven’s final Bundesliga trip for the time being takes them to St. Pauli this coming Saturday (3:30 p.m.). Mainz, meanwhile, has a European tie at home. With the 3-0 away win, FSV Mainz moved past Leipzig into sixth place in the Conference League, a position they will have to defend on the final matchday.
