At the start of the match against 1. FC Köln, VfL Bochum fans presented banners and set off pyrotechnics.

Before the landmark match against 1. FC Köln, individual VfL Bochum fans expressed their displeasure with the VfL officials by displaying a banner. Pyrotechnics were also set off in the fan section. Independently of this, the coach and team were loudly supported.

Initially, a small banner in the Ostkurve before kick-off read “Betray our values”. This message was probably directed at the Bochum management. Earlier this week, coach Thomas Reis had been sacked.

At kick-off, a large banner was unfurled with the words “Months of work for your ass. Thank you BO fire brigade, fire at will”. Those who wondered what the second sentence might stand for were enlightened a few seconds later: the fans lit red Bengalos, the smoke billowing through the Ruhrstadion for the first few minutes. According to information from RevierSport, the background to this was that the VfL fan scene had been planning a choreo with fire-safe paraphernalia for months in consultation with the Bochum fire brigade, but this had now been prevented at short notice.

VfL Bochum – 1. FC Köln

Fabian had still appealed to the fans at the press conference on Friday to concentrate on the sporting side and support the team unconditionally. “The team, the coaching team, we all need the support of the fans to win the game against 1. FC Köln on Sunday.”

This was what interim coach Heiko Butscher and his players subsequently received. Following the banned “pyro show”, the VfL supporters gave loud support to finally claim their first points in the Bundesliga season. Chants against the board were not heard.