Bayern Munich succumbed to shock defeat against VfL Bochum in Bundesliga | OneFootball

Bayern Munich had a bitter end to a good week as they succumbed to a 3-2 defeat against VfL Bochum on Saturday. It was a first home defeat for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga this season. The Bavarian club was handicapped in the game as Joao Palhinha was sent off in the 43rd minute for a studs-up challenge.

Vincent Kompany made several changes to the starting lineup on Saturday as the team had a challenging midweek clash against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League. Kingsley Coman and Dayot Upamecano were altogether rested for the game. At the same time, the likes of Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies, Kim Min-jae, and Joshua Kimmich started on the bench.

Bayern started the game brightly and pinned Bochum in their half. Raphael Guerreiro opened the scoring in the 14th minute as he pounced on a loose ball in the box to emphatically bury it past the goalkeeper. Serge Gnabry played a crucial role in the goal as his run led to this chance.

The Bavarian club had a golden opportunity to double the lead inside 20 minutes after Leroy Sane was brought down in the box. However, Gnabry only managed to hit the post from the spot, a mistake that eventually came to haunt Die Roten later in the game.

Guerreiro was enjoying the freedom he was getting higher up the pitch, playing just behind the striker. The Portuguese made the most of this opportunity and doubled Die Roten’s lead in the 28th minute. It was a great team goal involving Thomas Muller and Hiroki Ito.

Just when it looked like a straightforward game for Bayern, Bochum scored to get back in the game. The visitors capitalized on a lapse in concentration at the back for Die Roten while defending a set-piece. Jakov Medic showed great awareness to pounce on a second ball and drill the ball in the net past a helpless Jonas Urbig.

Things went downhill for Bayern after Bochum scored their first goal. Joao Palhinha was sent off for a rash challenge on Giorgos Masouras. It was a 50-50 shout, but Palhinha erred enough to give the referee an opportunity to bring the red card out of his pocket.

Bochum came firing all cylinders in the second half and didn’t take long to make the most of having an extra man on the pitch. The visitors once again scored from a set-piece as Ibrahima Sissoko headed the ball past Urbig.

Bayern kept creating half-chances in the game as Kompany brought on the big guns, but Bochum bravely saw out the waves of attack from the home side. They delivered the hammer blow in the 71st minute. A neat team move saw Matus Bero get a big chance in the box and duly obliged to put Bochum ahead for the first time in the game.

Die Roten tried to pile up the pressure in the final 15 minutes to get the equaliser, but Bochum showed resilient to get three points. It is a big confidence boosting victory for Bochum as they look to avoid relegation from the Bundesliga. Meanwhile, Bayern didn’t play poorly, but committed mistakes at the wrong time which led to their first home defeat of the Bundesliga campaign.

Despite the defeat on Saturday, Bayern still have a lead of eight points over Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. Xabi Alonso’s team also suffered defeat against Werder Bremen. Kompany and the Bavarian faithful will hope to see team bouncing back from defeat against Bochum with a commanding performance against Bayer Leverkusen in the second leg of the UCL round of 16 clash on Tuesday.