The visiting team passed the first difficult test brilliantly, winning the first leg of the double match at Bochum, sixteenth in the Bundesliga, 3-0.
Daniel Thioune’s team were helped by an own goal from Philipp Hofmann in the 13th, in front of a crowd of 26,000, after Tzolis had deliberately headed a corner into the net.
Felix Klaus in the 64th minute and Yannik Engelhardt shortly afterwards both scored against a shocked Bochum, after being put through on goal by Tzolis.
While Fortuna’s return to the Bundesliga after four years is within reach, with 0-3 Bochum risks relegation after three years in the top flight.
“We’re only halfway through. It’s a good result in the first leg, there’s no doubt. We have to go onto the pitch with the same passion on Monday“, asked Marcel Sobottka on Sat.1. “We are happy with the victory and we are enjoying the evening, but from tomorrow we must think about recovering our strength.”
As announced, the hosts started without starting goalkeeper Manuel Riemann, who was omitted from the squad for the two matches due to “irreconcilable differences of opinion on team-related matters”.
Veteran Andreas Luthe replaced Riemann in goal. Surprisingly, captain Anthony Losilla was also initially alone on the bench. Even Düsseldorf captain Andre Hoffmann initially had to sit back and watch.
In front of Bayern player Leon Goretzka, who sat in the stands wearing a Bochum shirt, the two teams played a physical match in which Fortuna dominated the hosts from the start. A corner from second division top scorer Tzolis hit the post, the ball ricocheted off Hofmann’s thigh and then into his goal. This is Bochum’s fifth own goal of the season.
Tzolis everywhere
Bochum tried with all their might, but rarely found someone to take crosses into the penalty area after good combinations. Düsseldorf is physically strong, but initially too imprecise. A free kick from Bochum’s evening captain Kevin Stöger went just wide.
After the break, the visitors became more determined in their forays forward, with Luthe deflecting Klaus’ shot just wide. Bochum’s attacks are repeatedly destroyed by Düsseldorf’s defence.
At the other end, Klaus completed a fast counterattack for Fortuna after a brilliant assist from Tzolis to make the score 2-0.
At this point Fortuna broke loose. A free kick from Tzolis was deflected forward by Luthe, and Engelhardt landed the winning shot. Klaus came close to scoring the sensational goal to make it 0-4 for Fortuna, but only hit the crossbar while some home fans were already leaving the stadium early.
