Bayern fall eight points adrift of Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen after a remarkable game at Bochum which saw two long delays due to fan protests.
The German champions, who have now lost three matches in succession for the first time in nine years, had the game in control before the first interruption midway through the first half thanks to Jamal Musiala’s fine early goal.
In the 10 minutes following the 14-minute interruption which saw the pitch pelted with tennis balls, Bochum turned the game around with a fine strike from Takuma Asano and Keven Schlotterbeck’s crashing header.
Ten minutes into the second half the players left the field again, due to more supporter protest aimed at German league authority the DFL, and once more Bochum reacted the better side with Kevin Stoger extending the lead from the penalty spot after Dayot Upamecano was given a second yellow card for elbowing Schlotterbeck in the box.
Harry Kane, who missed two other gilt-edged chances, nudged home from close range three minutes from time, but Bochum held on for a famous victory which lifts them nine points clear of the relegation zone – not least due to heroics from goalkeeper Manuel Riemann.
Talking Point – Protest changes the game – and maybe Tuchel’s job prospects
Being midway through a Champions League tie may well persuade Bayern Munich authorities not to part ways with Thomas Tuchel, but make no mistake, losing three matches in succession with the Bavarian giants puts any manager on the brink. The last time they had a run like this was at the end of the 2014-15 season – and that was after the Bundesliga was already won.
Should Tuchel face the axe, he may well bemoan the timing of Sunday’s protest, one of many which have happened across matches in Germany over recent weeks, as his side looked set for a big win before the game was halted in the 22nd minute. As well as Musiala’s goal, Kane was close to having two goals, the first he blamed a divot for as he blazed over and the second striker Moritz Broschinski blocked by throwing his body in the way of a goalbound header – a feature of Bochum’s game throughout.
The game was a different one after the first stoppage and it was not really turned back until Bayern threw everything at their opposition in desperation in the last 10 minutes of the match. And then they faced a goalkeeper in inspired form, with one of the best point-blank saves you will ever see from Sane – another reason to leave Tuchel’s mind deluged with thoughts of black cats and walking under ladders.
Player of the Match – Kevin Stoger (Bochum)
It could have gone to a number of Bochum players. After the first interruption Anthony Losilla expertly supported Stoger in controlling proceedings, Keven Schlotterbeck was indomitable at the back and Christopher Antwi-Adjei impossible for Bayern to quieten. But the pose and character showed by Stoger stuck out so much, particularly because this feels so lacking in Bayern’s side at present.
This will surely be a performance which earns him his first Austrian cap at 30.
Player Ratings
Bochum: Riemann 8; Oermann 6, Ordets 7, Schlotterbeck 8, Bernardo 7; Losilla 8, Masovic 7; Asano 7, Stoger 9*, Antwi-Adjei 8; Broschinski 7.
Subs: Gamboa 6, Kwarteng 6, Forster, Loosli.
Bayern: Neuer 6; Mazraoui 6, Kim 6, De Ligt 6, Guerreiro 6; Goretzka 6, Kimmich 5; Choupo-Moting 5, Muller 5, Musiala 7; Kane 6.
Subs: Upamecano 4, Zaragoza 6, Sane 7, Tel 7, Dier 6.
Match Highlights
14′ GOAL!!! BOCHUM 0-1 BAYERN (MUSIALA)! De Ligt’s header was cleared off the line and Musiala first got a shot off which Riemann saved with his legs then when the ball fell to him shortly afterwards, from a tight angle, he rifled the ball inside the nearside top corner.
18′ SO UN-KANE LIKE…. He was played through by Musiala but all alome and with all the time to line up a shot – or pass square to set up Muller with an open goal – he fired high over the bar.
22′ THE MATCH IS HELD UP DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE CROWD! Fans were throwing tennis balls onto the pitch.
27′ THE PLAYERS ARE NOW LEAVING THE FIELD! Let’s hope this does not last too much longer. More tennis balls were thrown onto the field as the announcement was made.
31′ GOAL!!! BOCHUM (ASANO) 1-1 BAYERN! A fine counter-attack from Bochum, with Losilla turning Kimmich and playing a through ball for Asano who drilled an effort from the right edge of the penalty area wide of Neuer.
41′ GOAL!!! BOCHUM (SCHLOTTERBECK) 2-1 BAYERN! The centre back meets Stoger’s corner at the front post and directs his header into the roof of the net.
56′ THE PLAYERS ARE LEAVING THE PITCH ONCE MORE! Losilla is going to the Bochum fans to ask them to stop. This time round it seemed more due to Bayern fans throwing them.
77′ PENALTY AND A SENDING OFF! Upamecano is sent off, getting a second yellow card elbowing Schlotterbeck in the area.
78′ GOAL!!! BOCHUM (STOGER) 3-1 BAYERN! Neuer gets a left hand on the ball but he cannot stop Stoger’s firmly hit ball heading into the net.
86′ SANE WALTZES THROUGH BOCHUM DEFENCE… You were just waiting for the net to bulge but Riemann denied him with a fantastic point-blank save.
87′ GOAL!!! BOCHUM 3-2 BAYERN (KANE)! Ordets threw his body in the way of a ball as Bochum defenders have done all night but Tel managed to squeeze the ball across the box to Kane who gives Bayern a lifeline.
Key Stats
First appeared on www.eurosport.com