After overcoming a three-goal deficit to defeat second-tier Fortuna Duesseldorf on the road in a penalty shootout in Monday’s relegation play-off second leg, Bochum will once again participate in first-division football next season.
After losing the first leg 3-0 at home, Bochum appeared to have little chance of winning the match, but out-of-contract midfielder Kevin Stoeger’s incredible play, which included setting up two goals and winning and converting a penalty, allowed them to rally.
Bochum led 3-0 at full-time and the match went to penalties after a goalless extra period.
Andreas Luthe saved Duesseldorf’s first spot-kick, but Florian Kastenmeier then saved one of Bochum’s to keep the hosts in the shoot-out.
Players from both sides then converted spot-kicks until Takashi Uchino blasted his side’s seventh over the bar, meaning Bochum stay in the topflight for a fourth straight season.
“We were in such a good position, we were so close, that’s why it hurts even more,” said Duesseldorf’s sporting director Klaus Allofs.
“We didn’t play well but I don’t know why — we have no idea.”
His Bochum counterpart Patrick Fabian told Sky: “Incredible, that topped it all off as far as the season is concerned.
“I’m incredibly proud of the boys.”
– Confident mood –
The Bundesliga relegation play-off features the team which finished third from bottom in the top division against the third-placed second-division team in a home and an away leg.
