Freiburg Triumphs Over Bochum in Dramatic DFB Cup Quarterfinal
SC Freiburg secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory against vfl Bochum after extra time, propelling them to the DFB Cup semifinals for onyl the second time in their history. A late defensive blunder by BochumS Leitsch proved to be the deciding factor in this thrilling encounter.
In the 120th minute, leitsch attempted a risky back pass to his goalkeeper, Riemann, but his execution was flawed. Freiburg’s Sallai seized the prospect, intercepting the ball adn deftly slotting it past Riemann to send the Freiburg faithful into raptures.
prior to this dramatic finish, the match had been a tightly contested affair. VfL Bochum‘s substitute, Polter, had leveled the score in the 64th minute, canceling out Petersen’s opener for Freiburg in the 51st minute.
Bochum narrowly avoided a red card in the first half when striker Locadia engaged in a physical altercation with Freiburg’s Lienhardt. Former German international Bastian Schweinsteiger, commentating for ARD, deemed Locadia’s actions worthy of a yellow card, stating, “That was a reckless move by Locadia. He was fortunate to escape with just a warning.”
Despite this incident, Bochum coach Reis opted to keep Locadia on the pitch at halftime. However, he later substituted him for Polter, a decision that initially paid dividends.
The Ruhr Stadium erupted in a mix of elation and disappointment as the final whistle blew. The home fans, numbering over 10,000, showed their unwavering support for their team and commiserated with the unfortunate Leitsch.
Reflecting on the match, Bochum’s goal scorer Polter expressed his team’s disappointment, stating, “We fought valiantly throughout the cup run, but ultimately, a costly error cost us dearly. Everyone makes mistakes, and we win and lose as a team.”
Among the jubilant Freiburg supporters were former DFB President Fritz Keller and current club president Eberhard Fugmann, who had traveled to Bochum on the official fan bus. This victory marks a significant milestone for Freiburg, who last reached the DFB Cup semifinals in 2013.
A Cup Run Cut Short: Discussing BochumS Dramatic DFB Cup Exit with Former Bundesliga Star, Thomas Broich
The DFB Cup continues to deliver nail-biting drama, as seen in Freiburg’s late victory over Bochum in the quarterfinals. Joining us today to dissect this thrilling encounter is none other than former Bundesliga star and VfL Bochum legend, Thomas Broich. Thomas, welcome to the show!
Thomas Broich: Thanks for having me. It was a tough one to watch, that’s without a doubt.
Moderator: Absolutely. A late defensive blunder by Leitsch gifted Freiburg the win in extra time.What are your thoughts on that decisive moment? Do you think it was simply a case of nerves or was there something more to it?
Thomas broich: It was a terrible mistake,no doubt,and these things happen,especially under pressure. However, I think Bochum’s fatigue played a significant role. they’d been chasing the game for a while, and that desperation can lead to poor decision-making. It’s unfortunate for Leitsch, but these moments can define a cup run, and unfortunately for Bochum, it went against them.
Moderator: You mentioned fatigue. Bochum managed to level the score in the 64th minute through Polter,but then seemed to struggle to maintain that momentum. Do you believe substituting Locadia, who had been involved in a physical altercation earlier, might have impacted their attacking prowess?
Thomas Broich: Well, Locadia definitely brings a spark to the attack, but truth be told, he was walking a tightrope with that yellow card. Reis probably made the right decision bringing him off to avoid a potential red card and disrupting the team any further. Polter did well to equalize, but Bochum couldn’t quite find that same cutting edge afterward.
Moderator: Speaking of cutting edge, Freiburg displayed remarkable resilience throughout the match. They took the lead,conceded an equalizer,and then battled back to score the winner in extra time. What impressed you most about their performance?
Thomas broich: Their determination was admirable. They didn’t let the equalizer deflate them, instead, they kept pressing and creating chances. That’s a testament to Christian Streich’s coaching and the team’s cohesion. They were clinical when it mattered most and deserved to go through.
Moderator: This victory marks Freiburg’s second DFB Cup semifinal appearance in their history. Do you think they have what it takes to go all the way this year?
Thomas broich: It’s going to be tough. They’ll face some strong competition in the next round, but with their current form and determination, they certainly have a chance. They’re a team on the rise, and this Cup run could provide a huge boost for the club.
Moderator: Thomas, thank you so much for your insightful analysis. Let’s open the floor to our viewers now. What are your thoughts on the match? Do you agree with Thomas’s assessment of bochum’s performance? Share your opinions in the comments below!
