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

It may sound strange at first, but match interruptions and VfL Bochum are a success story this season – even if coaches and players could do without them.

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

[url]In the match against VfB Stuttgart, an incorrectly placed banner in the visitors’ area almost caused the game to be abandoned.[/url] The match was able to continue after a 60-minute half-time break. Fortunately for Bochum, Matus Bero scored the goal of the day shortly after the restart (1:0).

And all good things come in threes. The now obligatory tennis balls were also thrown onto the pitch from both fan camps against Bayern. After a good 20 minutes, the match had to be interrupted for just over ten minutes

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

Change turns the game against Bayern around

Erhan Masovic was moved more to the right flank to restrict the space of Jamal Musiala, who had caused Bochum major problems with more than just his goal. Masovic won the ball against Musiala and Asano equalized through quick transition play.

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

His players could only agree with him. “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 hot, then cold, then hot again.” This also increases the risk of injury.

“It’s annoying,” agrees Keven Schlotterbeck. “We want to play soccer and preferably be on the pitch for 90 minutes. I think Niclas Füllkrug said it quite well: sit down at the table, better today than tomorrow. Please do that. It doesn’t do anyone any good.” Except perhaps for Bochum’s points account