Bochum, newly promoted to the Bundesliga, shocked Bayern Munich by securing a surprising 4-2 victory over the reigning champions on Saturday. This unexpected triumph prevented the league leaders from extending their lead to 12 points. Despite Robert Lewandowski’s early opener for Bayern, reminiscent of their 7-0 victory in September, Bochum responded with four first-half goals, exploiting a six-minute period where Bayern struggled to cope with Bochum’s high intensity.
Lewandowski initiated the scoring in the ninth minute by skillfully controlling Kingsley Coman’s pass and slipping it past Bochum goalkeeper Michael Esser. Bochum swiftly equalized five minutes later through Christopher Antwi-Adjei, who eluded Niklas Süle and unleashed a precise shot inside the post after being set up by Gerrit Holtmann.
Bochum was awarded a penalty when Dayot Upamecano’s outstretched arm blocked Elvis Rexhbecaj’s cross attempt. Jürgen Locadia converted the penalty in the 38th minute. Cristian Gamboa then scored a goal-of-the-season contender two minutes later, executing a one-two with Patrick Osterhage, who returned the ball with his heel, before firing a powerful shot into the far corner. Holtmann replicated the feat from the other side four minutes later, playing the ball between Upamecano’s legs and delivering another spectacular shot into the far corner.
This victory revived memories of Bochum’s near success against a star-studded Bayern team in September 1976. On that occasion, they fought from four goals down to win 6-5, with Uli Hoeneß scoring the winner in the 89th minute. Bochum held on this time for the win.
In the second half, the home team had two goals disallowed for offside, and Armel Bella Kotchap made a goal-saving clearance to deny Lewandowski. Esser denied Lewandowski again in the 63rd minute, before the Polish star found the net in the 75th minute, marking his 26th goal in 22 games this season. Lewandowski struck the crossbar with a free kick in the 88th minute, but Bayern could not mount a successful comeback.
In other Bundesliga matches, Hertha Berlin suffered a 2-1 loss to last-placed Greuther Fürth, Borussia Mönchengladbach eased relegation concerns with a 3-2 win over Augsburg, and Wolfsburg won 2-0 at Eintracht Frankfurt. Freiburg came from behind to draw 1-1 with Mainz, while Bayer Leverkusen hosted Stuttgart later.
