Bundesliga leaders Union Berlin left shocked by Bochum in 2-0 defeat
It was top versus bottom as surprise Bundesliga leaders Union Berlin travelled to the league's basement side Bochum, who have now made their worst ever start to a top-flight campaign.
After falling behind in the third minute against Stuttgart in their last league outing, the home side managed to keep the Iron Ones at bay in a low-key opening to the game.
After Janik Haberer was taken off through injury for the visitors in the 20th minute, the first goal attempt of the game arrived, which saw Union Berlin’s Frederik Ronnow pull off a fine save to deny Philipp Hofmann’s goalbound header.
The Iron Ones fell behind just before the break when Hofmann popped up again, this time making sure his header hit the back of the net after getting on the end of Philipp Forster’s corner.
Bochum continued on the front foot after the interval, which saw Jordi Osei-Tutu almost double their tally, but his 48th minute effort whistled just past the post.
Midway through the second half, Milos Pantovic fired a strike wide of the target as Union Berlin sought to find a way back into the game, before Osei-Tutu nearly gave the visitors a bigger mountain to climb when he struck the crossbar at the other end of the pitch.
The home side eventually increased their lead in the 71st minute through substitute Gerrit Holtmann, who finished off a fine counter-attack with a first-time strike from close-range.
Union Berlin had the opportunity to hit back moments later after a VAR review awarded them a penalty, however, it wasn’t to be Berlin’s day as Pantovic’s spot kick was saved by Manuel Riemann.
Pantovic did eventually net a consolation goal deep into stoppage time, but by that time it was all too late.
As well as securing a much-needed victory, Bochum have now also recorded back-to-back clean sheets at home as things begin to look up. Meanwhile, Union Berlin remain one point clear at the top of the Bundesliga table.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Anthony Losilla (Bochum)