After VfL Bochum’s 2-1 home win over Borussia Mönchengladbach on matchday 14 of the Bundesliga, Kevin Stöger and Philipp Hofmann were in high spirits.

“The first half was top and the second was just awesome.” Every VfL Bochum fan could probably agree with this match summary by Kevin Stöger after the 2-1 win against Borussia Mönchengladbach. The third home win in a row in the Bundesliga meant that the club, second from last in the table, stayed in touch with the non-relegation places.

“We know that we are a power at home. Not only are the fans behind the goal outstanding, but the whole stadium is whipping us forward.” Stöger was more than satisfied with the intense first 45 minutes in particular. “I think that was the best first half we have ever played.”

Of course, the early two-goal lead had also played its part. “In Dortmund we played a good first half, but had a bit of bad luck. Now luck was on our side,” he said, adding that it was much easier to play with confidence as the game progressed. A visibly relieved Philipp Hofmann agreed with that.

Bochum with attractive attacking football

“We finally earned that,” said the centre-forward. “You can see that we can play football, even against such a good team like Gladbach. There were good moves and then we are also rewarded.” The best example of this was the opening goal by Christopher Antwi-Adjei.

Whose emergence could thus be written in the football textbook under the “steep-slap-low” playing principle, which with Hofmann in a central position is increasingly becoming Bochum’s hobbyhorse. “I try to work for the team, hold balls and pass them. Slowly the boys are adapting to me and we are benefiting from each other. “

Hope to end away slump

In addition to his work ethic, the 29-year-old also proved his flair for goals and scored the 2-0 in the meantime. “I speculated a bit on the goalkeeper, then I get perfectly in between and with my right stick I push it into the goal,” said the left-footer, who was “already shaking a bit” at his dolly ball. “

Why something like that succeeds at home in the Ruhr stadium, but there is always such a drop in performance on foreign grounds this season, Hofmann himself could not explain. “That’s simply a matter of headache.” Ahead of the last game before the winter break at FC Augsburg (12 November, 3:30pm), there is therefore a bit of probability mixed in with the VfL hopes. “At some point, it just has to work out.