TSG 1899 slip to defeat in Bochum

Bochum took an undeserved lead on 24 minutes; after Carlos Eduardo lost the ball on the halfway line, Fuchs passed through to Stanislav Sestak after Hoffenheim's Marvin Compper had let the ball past him. Sestak confidently finished past Hildebrand to put the home side ahead. Despite unluckily being behind at the break, Hoffenheim had not truly created a threat enough of their own.

On 64 minutes, TSG 1899 finally got the equaliser that they had fully deserved. Maicosuel had space on the right, and crossed in the middle for Vedad Ibisevic to volley past Bochum keeper Heerwagen, much to the relief of the travelling Hoffenheim fans.

The game was evenly poised, but then it turned in the way of the hosts; on 76 minutes, after an excellent cross into the box from Christian Fuchs, Zlatko Dedic guided his header past Hildebrand to give Bochum all three points with a 2-1 win.

Hoffenheim's frustrating afternoon was rounded off after Luis Gustavo was harshly sent off on 86 minutes for a challenge on Lewis Holtby.

This defeat means that Hoffenheim's miserable form continues, it's now one win in the last nine league games for them, and this defeat was not at all the perfect tonic for Tuesday's DFB Cup exit at Werder Bremen. The defeat leaves Ralf Rangnick's side in ninth, and a real improvement in form will necessary if TSG 1899 are to challenge for the UEFA Europa League spots for next season.

QUOTES

Heiko Herrlich
The first home win feels fantastic. I am unbelievably unhappy, that we've finally pulled off a win in front of our own fans.

Vedad Ibisevic
This game reflects our whole season. We tried our hardest, but then they had two chances and two goals.

Ralf Rangnick
We're unbelievably disappointed. My team, especially in the second half, gave everything they could, but we realise that we created far too many goalscoring opportunities. Because of that, we've come out of the game not only empty-handed, but also with the red card of Luis Gustavo, which I personally thought was unjustified.

Josip Simunic
I can't explain how we lost the game. For the goal which made it 2-1, I tried my hardest to win the ball, but it was such a good cross and a perfect header.

Andreas Ibertsberger
It's a shame, that we couldn't come away with a draw. Up until the final third of pitch we played well, but we had far too many goalscoring opportunities. Our opponents used their fewer chances better than we did.

Sejad Salihovic
We are of course disappointed. In the first half we didn't play well, but afterwards we controlled the game. After the equaliser it just didn't happen for us, and then we conceded once more.

 

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