2. Bundesliga Friday round-up | OneFootball

There were important wins at both ends of the table. Dresden claimed their first victory since August, while Hertha secured a gritty home win against Braunschweig.

VfL Bochum 1-2 Dynamo Dresden

The match began at a frantic tempo, with both sides desperate for points to ease their relegation anxieties. Bochum threatened first when Farid Alfa-Ruprecht burst into the box and fired low towards Lennart Grill’s goal, only for the Dresden keeper to turn the effort away.

Despite the bright start from the hosts, it was Dresden who struck first in the 26th minute. A cross into the area eventually fell to Alexander Rossipal, who finished at the second attempt to give the visitors the lead. It was the first time Bochum had trailed under Uwe Rösler, and the remainder of the half became an early test of his team’s resilience.

They failed to pass it. Right on the stroke of half time, Rossipal delivered another dangerous cross that deflected via Felix Passlack into the path of Vincent Vermeij, who stuck out a boot to divert the ball past Timo Horn and send Dresden into the break with a commanding two goal advantage.

Bochum came out with intent after the interval and pulled one back on the hour mark. Caetjan Lenz applied a composed finish to reduce the deficit and reignite the home crowd. Their big chance to level arrived with fifteen minutes remaining when Grill brought down Philipp Hofmann after losing possession. Francis Onyeka stepped up but dragged his penalty wide of the post.

Bochum struggled to create much else in the closing stages, allowing Thomas Stamm’s side to hold on for a much-needed three points that lift them to 16th. It was a frustrating first defeat of the Rösler era for Bochum, who remain 13th.

Hertha BSC 1-0 Eintracht Braunschweig

Braunschweig, despite their struggles, were the sharper team in the opening period and nearly shocked the home side early. Patrick Nkoa met a flicked-on free kick at the back post with the goal at his mercy, but the defender headed wide in what was a golden opportunity.

After that early scare, the half settled into a slower rhythm. Hertha tried repeatedly to progress play through captain Fabian Reese, but found little joy. Just before half time Braunschweig spurned another huge chance, this time through Christian Conteh, who raced through at pace and attempted a delicate chip from a tight angle. His effort drifted just wide, allowing Hertha to maintain their impressive defensive record.

The hosts emerged with greater intensity after the interval and immediately took control. Their breakthrough arrived less than ten minutes into the second half when Reese delivered a pinpoint cross for Marten Winkler, who rose highest and powered a header past Ron-Thorben Hoffmann to give Hertha a 1-0 lead.

The remainder of the match was cagey, marked by frequent fouls and yellow cards that broke up any rhythm and suited the home side. Braunschweig appealed for a penalty in the 85th minute, but VAR ruled that Linus Gechter’s hand was in a natural position, much to the relief of the Olympiastadion crowd.

Hertha held firm to record their fourth straight league win and fourth consecutive clean sheet, climbing to fourth place ahead of the weekend fixtures. Braunschweig, meanwhile, suffer a fourth defeat in a row and drop to 17th after Dresden’s victory, leaving Heiner Backhaus with considerable problems to solve.