VfL Bochum has a curious quality in the Bundesliga: scoring goals and winning home games after long interruptions in play.

It may sound strange at first, but interruptions to the game and VfL Bochum are a success story this season – even if the coach and players would rather do without them.

It all started with a chocolate coin that gave Takuma Asano the strength to score the opening goal against Union Berlin (3-0). It was in December the first fan protest against the DFL’s investor deal.

And all good things come in threes. The now obligatory tennis balls were also thrown onto the pitch by both fan bases against Bayern. After a good 20 minutes, the game had to be suspended for a little over ten minutes.

At that point, VfL was 1-0 down and Harry Kane should have scored Bayern’s second shortly before the break. But he didn’t. This gave VfL coach Thomas Letsch the opportunity to make adjustments.

Change brings turnaround in the game against Bayern

Erhan Masovic was pulled more to the right side to limit the spaces of Jamal Musiala, who had not only caused Bochum major problems with his goal. Masovic won the ball against Musiala, and Asano equalized with the fast transition play.

However, according to Letsch, one thing should not be underestimated: “It’s not easy for the players to physically and mentally wind down and push themselves back up again. Of course, you use this phase to make adjustments, but I could do without it if we can just play 90 minutes again in the future.”

His players could only agree. “I don’t like the protest,” said Bernardo. “Not because of what the fans are fighting for, but this break is bad for us on the pitch. We’re warm, then cold, then warm again.” It also increases the risk of injury.

“It’s annoying,” agreed Keven Schlotterbeck. ‘We want to play football and ideally be on the pitch for 90 minutes. I think Niclas Füllkrug put it quite well: sit down at the table, sooner rather than later. Please do that. It doesn’t help anyone.’ Except maybe Bochum’s points tally.