On matchday 7 of the Bundesliga, VfL Bochum picked up their first point of the season. 1. FC Köln equalised 1:1 late on.

After six defeats, VfL Bochum earned its first point of the season on Matchday 7 of the Bundesliga. Against 1. FC Köln, the team at the bottom of the table looked like the winner for a long time, but had to concede the equaliser shortly before the end for the final score of 1:1.

The game began in the fog of pyrotechnics set off by VfL supporters. However, the Bochum team did not let this irritate them on the pitch and tried to set offensive stings early on. After just nine minutes, they were rewarded for their hard work and effort.

After a cross from Gerrit Holtmann through on the left, VfL had the luck that had eluded them in many a scene on previous matchdays. Cologne’s captain Jonas Hector’s attempt to clear the ball hit Benno Schmitz, from whom the ball bounced into the goal. In collective redemption, the Ruhrstadion erupted in jubilation – 1:0.

The home team then survived a period of pressure from Cologne and had a great chance to extend their lead. After a long ball from Christian Gamboa, Patrick Osterhage crossed to Holtmann. Holtmann took full risk and volleyed the ball against the left post.

After that, VfL let Cologne have the ball, stood defensively compact and hardly allowed anything from the last third onwards. Many attempts to cross the ball were blocked or cleared. Accordingly, the guests tried their luck with long-range shots by Dejan Ljubicic (23rd) and Florian Kainz (33rd). The best chance for an equaliser came from Ellyse Skhiri, who was completely free inside the five-yard box, but missed his header (39th).

At the start of the second half, the visitors ran at the VfL defence early on. This created more and more space for the Bochum team to counterattack. One of these resulted in an opportunity for Philipp Hofmann, who just missed from 25 metres (59th).

Heated up atmosphere despite continuous rain

Cologne coach Steffen Baumgart then made a triple change in order to force an equaliser with fresh forces. The visitors came particularly close in two situations, but VfL keeper Manuel Riemann was on hand to scramble the ball off the line in each case, for which Bochum’s number one was duly celebrated (64th, 76th).

As a result, the game became hectic and full of emotion, as befits a NRW derby. Many close duels and whistles from the referee created a heated atmosphere at Castroper Straße despite the continuous rain.

Cologne once again threw everything forward, the pressure on the VfL defence increased and could no longer be withstood in the 88th minute: Substitute Linton Maina penetrated the penalty area and overcame Riemann with a low shot into the right corner. The cold shower shortly before the final whistle. In the end, Cologne even had great chances to turn the game around. Still: The first point of the season.