Ruthless efficiency, pure nerves of steel – that’s what characterized VfL Bochum at Union Berlin before the break. Then a nail-biter developed – which VfL survived without any damage.

Pure relegation battle in the Bundesliga. And that was already apparent during the week. While 5000 Bochum fans supported and encouraged their VfL in the final training session, Union Berlin were cheered on by countless fans on the way to the game.

The result after 90 minutes: VfL Bochum were better able to convert the support into performance and won the basement thriller at Union Berlin 4:3 (3:0).

What an important three points. After nine away games without a win, coach Heiko Butscher’s team scored three points on the road again in this relegation play-off. And these 90 minutes with their many twists and turns were not for the faint-hearted – despite VfL taking a 3:0 lead at the break.

The game began with a lot of nervousness – both teams shied away from taking big risks. Nevertheless, VfL took an early lead (16′). The ball came back quickly after a deflection from Union goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow. Maximilian Wittek received the ball in the middle via Philipp Hofmann, Kevin Stöger and Moritz Broschinski – he shot immediately and made it 1:0.

Union were shocked and VfL went one better. And again it was Wittek who scored for Bochum. And what a beautiful goal. He let two men run into space, then shot into the short corner – 2:0 for VfL.

And Union were now completely out of it. Bochum were ice-cold and exploited this mercilessly. Just two minutes after making it 2-0, Berlin again failed to clear the ball properly and Felix Passlack found Keven Schlotterbeck in the middle, whose instant shot was deflected – no chance for Rönnow.

Union Berlin made three changes at the break – and it paid off. The hosts fought back and were rewarded after 59 minutes when substitute Yorbe Vertessen scored the equalizer for Union

Now there was even more fire under the roof of the “Alte Försterei”. And Union were on fire, making it 2:3 just three minutes after making it 1:3. Again it was a joker who scored in the person of Chris Bedia. Prior to that, the Berliners had shown more grip in several duels.

Bochum wavered – and what do you do then? Exactly, you look for salvation on the offensive. And that’s what VfL did, putting their fourth exclamation mark on the hosts’ pressing phase.

Passlack set up the ball for the second time and Philipp Hofmann, who was completely free in the middle, headed in to make it 4:2 – the brief euphoria in Berlin was gone. Or so they thought, but Union Berlin did not give up and came back into the game.

What a game. Benedict Hollerbach countered the 2:4 just four minutes later and everything was open again. But fortunately for Bochum, the game had no further punchline in store. It was over after 95 minutes and Bochum celebrated a big step towards staying in the league