VfL Bochum caught Schalke 04 off guard twice with simple tactics and won 2-0. That annoyed S04 coach Miron Muslic. As confident as FC Schalke 04’s defense had been for most of the season, they were quickly caught off guard by VfL Bochum.

VfL got off to a dream start. Just 42 seconds into the game, Koji Miyoshi put the hosts ahead. After good work from Gerrit Holtmann, the Japanese player shocked the league leaders. Schalke coach Miron Muslic described the early goal as a “worst-case scenario.”

Especially since Schalke were caught out again shortly before half-time in a similar fashion. Holtmann crossed, and this time Philipp Hofmann finished to make it 2-0 (43′).

“Congratulations to VfL on their victory. We knew that Bochum had these weapons on the wings, with excellent speed in depth. Defense has been our foundation so far this season, and we lacked that. And yet we had some good moments, such as Kenan’s deep pass to Mika in the first half. We then defended extremely poorly for the 0-2, with five players against two Bochum players,“ Muslic lamented afterwards.

He continued: ”Nevertheless, we tried everything again after the break because we know how quickly such games can turn around. Nikola’s goal would have been one such moment, but such moments are part of the game and we will analyze it closely.”

Nikola Katic had scored the supposed equalizer after 55 minutes, but the goal was disallowed due to an offensive foul in the build-up. The same fate befell Kenan Karaman’s supposed 1-2 goal in the 79th minute. Edin Dzeko had previously handled the ball illegally.

Muslic was annoyed about the defeat and the fourth game in a row without a win, but remained combative. “I am absolutely convinced that the boys will respond. The current phase is a challenge, but we have already overcome several in recent months. I’m sure we’ll fight back,” he promised. On Saturday, February 7, at 1 p.m., Dynamo Dresden, a relegation candidate in good form, will visit the Veltins Arena.