Armenia Bielefeld shines towards the eighth relegation of the Bundesliga. The penultimate table lost 1:2 (1:1) in rookie VFL Bochum and after ten straight games without a win they have to hope for support from old and new champions Bayern Munich.
Should he be the record champion after his party trip to Ibiza on Sunday (5:30 p.m./dazn) lost to VfB Stuttgart, and East Westphalia could no longer be prevented from returning to the second division before the end of the season.
“Hopefully, Bayern will give us a little bit of support. If we have the opportunity next week, anything is still possible,” Bielefeld midfielder Patrick Wimmer said. dazn: “It was another strong fighting performance today. But we’re lacking in efficiency. That’s why we’re without points again.”
Captain Manuel Brittel added: “I’m a bit speechless at the moment. We had big plans, that would have cleared the way for relegation. We’re keeping the match open for a long time, and we’re back to play with a fixed piece, but they don’t have enough power to penetrate forward.” Bitter and disappointing. We depend on others now. We have to win, this is the last straw we have. In life, you always have to see it to the end, until the last round is over. We all have to do it again to mobilize forces.”
Joachim Nilsson (35) equalized for Armenia in the meantime to make the score 1-1. But an own goal from George Bello (89) settled the sixteenth defeat. Deficit on Table 16. Stuttgart is still two points. Even a win in the last match against RB Leipzig would only suffice if VfB went empty-handed. Due to Bielefeld’s defeat, it is also clear that Hertha BSC could no longer go down straight.
Sebastian Poulter (22) put the already saved Bochum at the front. After a week of a 4-3 victory over Borussia Dortmund and a generous celebration of survival, the VFL said goodbye to eleven players whose contracts expire before kick-off.
“I am sure that one or the other who will get a bouquet of flowers today will also play here next season,” said sporting director Sebastian Schindzellors. dazn: “Talks are in progress”.
Bielefeld: Where was the sheer will to win?
There was no sign of a hangover in Bochum after the party. The hosts started off aggressively and with commitment. First, Poulter failed with a header at Bielefeld goalkeeper Stefan Ortega (2), then Gerrit Holtmann’s header over the five-meter goal (third).
Arminia, wishing to acquire VfL’s security planning, was initially held back. Coach Marco Kostmann had announced that he would not “go with everything from the first minute”, but “increased the risks as the match went on”. Bochum continued to have clear chances: Ortega saved two shots from Milos Pantovic with superb shots (13/15). Only behind the goal line was the goalkeeper able to capture Boulter’s header after Pantovic’s cross.
Guests rarely appeared near the Bochum penalty area. A long-range shot from Masaya Okogawa straight into the arms of goalkeeper Manuel Reimann was the first approaching (33 minutes). The equalizer was even more surprising: after a free kick from Gonzalo Castro, Nelson scored a completely free header.
After changing the team, the Bielefeld players initially continued to wait and see. There was little sign of an unconditional will to win. The hosts continued to get more out of the game – and were rewarded shortly before the end.
VfL Bochum – Arminia Bielefeld: Voices
Thomas Reese (Coach VFL Bochum): “We didn’t take our chances and then there were a few chances in the second half. If you make 2-1 in the last move, that fits the whole season. We are all proud today. It was just great. One season.”
Marco Kostman (coach of Armenia Bielefeld): “The players are as frustrated as me and the fans are. We are now counting on Bayern winning. It was a very shaky start for us, our minds taking a toll on our bodies. We couldn’t calm down.”
VFL Bochum – Armenia Bielefeld: squad
Bochum: Riemann-Gampoa, Masovic, Leitch, Soares-Lucilla-Pantowicz (Lewin 83), Riksbekaj (Tech 73) – Asano (Bloom 84), Poulter (Lucadia 68), Holtmann (Zoller 73). Coach: Rice
Bielefeld: Ortega – de Medina, Ramos, Nilsson, Laursen (77th Bello) – Schöpf (86 Robin Hack), Prietl – Wimmer, Castro (67 Vasiliadis), Okugawa (77th Ince) – Krüger (46 Serra). Coach: Kostman
German Bundesliga, Round 33: The Table
| place | a team | games | gates | differential | points |
| 1 | Bayern Munich | 32 | 93:33 | 60 | 75 |
| 2 | Borussia Dortmund | 32 | 80:50 | 30 | 63 |
| 3 | Bayer Leverkusen | 32 | 74:44 | 30 | 58 |
| 4 | SC Freiburg | 32 | 56:40 | 16 | 55 |
| 5 | RB Leipzig | 32 | 67:36 | 31 | 54 |
| 6 | 1. FC Köln | 32 | 51:46 | 5 | 52 |
| 7 | 1. FC Union Berlin | 32 | 43:41 | 2 | 51 |
| VIII | 1899 Hoffenheim | 32 | 55:51 | 4 | 46 |
| 9 | 1.FSV Mainz 05 | 32 | 46:42 | 4 | 42 |
| 10 | VFL Bochum | 33 | 36:49 | -13 | 42 |
| 11 | bur. Mönchengladbach | 32 | 48:59 | -4 | 41 |
| 12 | Eintracht Frankfurt | 32 | 42:46 | -4 | 40 |
| 13 | Wolfsburg VFL | 32 | 40:52 | -12 | 38 |
| 14 | Augsburg | 32 | 37:51 | -14 | 35 |
| 15th | Hertha Berlin | 32 | 35:67 | -32 | 33 |
| 16 | VFP Stuttgart | 32 | 37:56 | -19 | 29 |
| 17 | Armenia Bielefeld | 33 | 26:52 | -26 | 27 |
| 18 | SpVgg Greuther Furth | 32 | 26:77 | -51 | 18 |