Bochum avoids Bundesliga relegation as play-off penalty drama defeats Dusseldorf.
Bochum secured Bundesliga survival after rallying from three goals down and won a penalty shootout 6-5 to deny Fortuna Duesseldorf promotion.
Duesseldorf led 3-0 after the first leg of their playoff on Thursday, but Bochum won 3-0 in the second leg thanks to Philipp Hofmann’s two goals and Kevin Stoeger’s penalty. Hofmann scored an own goal during the first leg.
It left the teams tied 3-3 on aggregate. Duesseldorf came close to scoring in extra time, but Bochum held on thanks to many goal-line clearances.
Andreas Luthe, a veteran goalie, saved Andre Hoffmann’s opening shot for Duesseldorf in the shootout, while Florian Kastenmeier also saved for the home club.
Takashi Uchino of Duesseldorf felt the brunt of the pressure. The teenage Japanese defender’s penalty kick went well over the bar, along with his team’s hopes.
“We have a youthful team, and we plan to try again next season. Klaus Allofs, a board member for sports in Duesseldorf, stated that Bochum had nothing to lose.
Bochum ended third from the bottom in the Bundesliga, while Duesseldorf placed third in the second tier.
“This is unbelievable. “Everything appeared to be against us, and no one would bet on us,” Bochum managing director Patrick Fabian told Sky TV.
“I am immensely happy of the players’ performance after the first leg.
Bochum will now play in the Bundesliga for the fourth consecutive season, but Duesseldorf will lose out on a return to the top division after four years away.
