120 minutes – SC Freiburg uses Bochum’s dropout to reach the semi-finals
Bochum’s dramatic last-minute defeat against Freiburg – the highlights in the video
VfL Bochum is eliminated from the DFB Cup as bitterly as it could be. Against SC Freiburg there were many signs of a decision on penalties shortly before the end, but then Leitsch made a decisive mistake. The highlights in the video.
SC Freiburg has advanced to the semi-finals of the DFB Cup after Union Berlin, RB Leipzig and Hamburger SV. The sports club won in the last minute of extra time in Bochum. An individual error cost VfL the penalty shoot-out.
BA lot of highs in the league, historic success in the cup – SC Freiburg has refined its excellent season so far and, after 2013, is in the semi-finals of the DFB Cup for the second time in its club history. With the hard-fought and ultimately happy 2-1 (1-1, 0-0) after extra time at VfL Bochum, coach Christian Streich’s team lived up to their role as favorites and took revenge for the unfortunate Bundesliga defeat at the same venue a good three months earlier .
In front of 10,000 spectators in Bochum, Nils Petersen (51st minute) and Joker Roland Sallai (120th) scored the deserved victory on Wednesday evening, which gave the guests additional income of around two million euros. In contrast, the Revierklub missed their first place in the semi-finals in 34 years three weeks after the marveled 4-2 Bundesliga win over FC Bayern. Even Sebastian Polter’s equalizer (64′) couldn’t change that.
And everyone freaked out: Freiburg’s players were given a beer shower by the ranks after the winning goal
Source: AFP / INA FASSBENDER
It was particularly bitter for VfL that the goal in the final minute was preceded by a capital miss by Maxim Leitsch. The central defender missed the ball on a back pass and allowed Sallai to run to the goal.
“We are a team. It’s a team sport. Everyone makes mistakes in their life. We win together, we lose together,” said striker Sebastian Polter about his team-mate, who was then comforted with songs by the VfL fans: “It’s a missed opportunity. But now things are moving on in the Bundesliga,” said Polter.
Maxim Leitsch (left) was comforted by Armel Bella Kotchap and the fans after the game
Source: AFP / INA FASSBENDER
Bochum more active, but the goal comes late
Inspired by fireworks at the start of the game outside the stadium, Bochum got off to a better start. Already in the 5th minute, the fast Gerrit Holtmann had a great chance to take the lead when he headed past the goal from close range after a cross from Christian Gamboa.
On the other hand, Freiburg found the game slow. Worried about an opposing counterattack, they initially placed great value on goal security and only sporadically looked for the way to the Bochumer Tor. And because VfL also made many bad passes in the build-up, most of the action took place between the two penalty areas, where both teams fought passionate duels.
Only in the 26th minute did the guests demonstrate for the first time how the recently stable VfL defense can be cracked. However, Vincenzo Grifo, served by Lukas Kübler, hesitated too long in a promising position before completing the game and thus robbed his team of a possible 1-0.
VfL remained the more active team, but found it difficult to create opportunities. This encouraged Freiburg to adopt a somewhat more offensive approach. This courage almost paid off shortly before the break. With the help of Bochum defender Armel Bella Kotchap, Petersen (38′) had a formidable counterattack chance. But the attacker shot too quickly and didn’t cause any problems for VfL keeper Manuel Riemann with his harmless shot.
Devastated: Manuel Riemann and VfL Bochum were eliminated as late as possible
Source: AFP / INA FASSBENDER
However, Petersen did better six minutes after the restart. Because Riemann was only able to parry a shot from Kevin Schade, the ball fell at the feet of the 33-year-old former national player, who shot in from a few yards to give Freiburg the lead.
The game picked up speed considerably. Bochum pushed hard for the equalizer – and were immediately rewarded. A cross from Elvis Rexhbecaj, worth seeing, was headed into the goal by Polter, who came on at half-time.
