Bochum Comeback Stuns Bayern

CelticKing · Oct 4, 2008

Bochum Comeback Stuns Bayern

Late heroics from Bochum saw the visitors overcome a 3-1 deficit to earn a 3-3 draw in Munich in what was the most thrilling of thilling encounters...

Bayern München 3-3 VfL Bochum

Bayern coach Juergen Klinsmann opted to throw caution to the wind by using just three defenders and no defensive midfielders, even after his team had a achieved commanding 3-1 lead with 22 minutes left to play. Klinsmann's risk yielded great dividends as his team won 70% of the possession, but Ze Roberto's brace was cancelled out by goals from Christoph Dabrowski (84), and Dennis Grote (85). Bochum striker Sinan Kaloglu earned top merits today for scoring an early equalizer and assisting both of Bochum's late goals.

FIRST HALF:

Bayern coach Juergen Klinsmann opted to revert to his 3-5-2 formation, this time without a naturally defensive midfielder. From the opening kickoff, it was clear that Bayern were interested primarily in possession rather than defense, with Klinsmann betting against Bochum's efficiency.

Early on, the match was played at breakneck pace; as one of Bayern's back three often moved forward, there was plenty of space available for Bochum to use on the break. The visitors had their first shot on goal after just three minutes, when striker Stanislav Sestak latched onto Paul Freier's cross and sent a low shot to the left side of goal, where Bayern keeper Michael Rensing did well to make the save.

Bayern continued to dominate possession by a 2:1 margin, but were inefficient and, once again, the visitors had a gilt-edged opportunity on eleven minutes. Following a corner, Sestak sent a header to the far post, wherefrom Ze Roberto made an excellent clearance under pressure.

Just four minutes later, Bayern finally struck for their first goal. Centre-back Daniel van Buyten raced out of his defending half and played a through ball to a wide-open Franck Ribery. The Frenchman sent a first-touch cross to Miroslav Klose, who chested down for van Buyten to hammer home from twelve yards.

With plenty of room to advance, Bochum sought the equalizer. In the 28th minute, Mimoun Azaouagh found space and fired an ambitious long-raged effort to the right side of goal, forcing a diving save from Rensing. Bochum continued to pressure on the corner that ensued, and for good reason. Seconds after the corner, Azaouagh was played into the left side of the penalty area. He sent a low cross to Sinan Kaloglu, whose first-time effort was buried into the back of the net to level the score.

In the 33rd minute, Bayern almost regained the lead: Luca Toni headed a Ribery cross towards goal, but his shot was cleared off the goal line.

Toni threatened again in the 41st minute, when Ribery played him through to the left side of the penalty area on a fast break. Bochum keeper Daniel Fernandes was slow to react, but made up for his hesitation by charging Toni and making an excellent save.

The home side finally regained the lead seconds before halftime when Klose headed a cross backward for Ze Roberto. The Brazilian, in a full sprint, chested the ball down before he fired a blistering shot from the left side of the penalty area to the right side of goal.

The results of the first half were indicative that Klinsmann's gamble had paid off: his team enjoyed 70% of the possession and took twice (10) the number of shots that the visitors took.

SECOND HALF:

The second period started just as the first was played: the two sides were in constant transition, leaving both sides with acres of space to use on the attacking end.

Perhaps the most noteworthy opportunity early on came in the 57th minute, when Bastian Schweinsteiger sent a well-weighted cross to Luca Toni. The Italian's free header was well struck, but Fernandes was in perfect position as the ball careened off his feet and out of the penalty area.

Bayern's inability to extend their lead almost cost them in the 59th minute, when Christoph Dabrowski reached a loose ball at the edge of the penalty area and rifled a shot to the left side. His shot beat Rensing, but deflected off the inside of the post as the score remained 2-1.

Bayern picked up an insurance goal in the 68th minute, as Ze Roberto achieved a brace. Massimo Oddo sent a cross from the right side to Toni, who controlled well with his back to goal. Toni pased to Ze Roberto at the top of the box, and once again the Brazilian made a single touch before slotting a low shot to the left side, beating Fernandes.

Having had such a difficult start to their season, Bayern were appeared completely uninterested in defending, and continued to press forward for a fourth goal. Ribery led Bayern's efforts, effectively linking up with substitute Jose Ernesto Sosa before lobbing a shot from the left side over Fernandes. The Bochum keeper did well to poke the ball over the crossbar, saving what could have been the Bundesliga goal of the month.

Late drama has been a recurring theme at the Allianz Arena, but rarely in the form of visitors attaining sudden equalizers. And yet, just that happened today.

Bochum had been nearly silent during the second half, but in the 84th minute, Sinan Kaloglu sent a through ball to Christoph Dabrowski, who was left completely unmarked in the centre. Dabrowski easily beat Rensing, and the visitors were just a strike away from equalizing.

That vital equalizer came just seconds later, as Kaloglu sent a cross from the right side that Dennis Grote nodded home from close range.

The home side were visibly flustered after so suddenly losing their lead, and lost their composure as they desperately looked for a late winner that never came.

Bayern Munich 3-3 VfL Bochum
1-0 van Buyten (15)
1-1 Kaloglu (29)
2-1 Ze Roberto (45+1)
3-1 Ze Roberto (68)
3-2 Dabrowski (84)
3-3 Grote (85)

Bayern Munich: Rensing - van Buyten, Demichelis, Lucio - Lahm, Ribery, Ze Roberto (Borowski, 78), Schweinsteiger (Sosa, 71), Oddo - Toni, Klose (Podolski, 71)

VfL Bochum: Fernandes - Fuchs, Mavraj, Maltritz, Pfertzel - Dabrowski, Azaouagh, Schroeder, Freier (Grote, 73) - Kaloglu, Sestak

Yellow Cards: Sosa (75), Oddo (91) / Freier (36), Mavraj (62), Kaloglu (76)
Click to expand...

Colonel Ronan · Oct 5, 2008

Bayern have always had the tendency to take the foot of the gas when they play less-renown teams. Serves them right!

CelticKing · Oct 5, 2008

Main Event said: ↑

Bayern have always had the tendency to take the foot of the gas when they play less-renown teams. Serves them right!
Click to expand...

When I was in Germany 2 weeks ago, I was talking to my uncle there, he said that there is a lot of talk that Klinsman will be fired if they continue losing and tying with the less known teams.

Should have kept Hitzfeld.

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