Bochum produce Pokal surprise as misfiring Mainz bid farewell

The second division side struck twice after the break to dump a misfiring Mainz side out of the DFB-Pokal.

VfL Bochum produced an early DFB-Pokal upset by dumping out Mainz 05 under the Ruhrstadion floodlights tonight. Goals from Christian Rasmussen and substitute Philipp Hofmann ensured a 2-0 win and a place in the next round at the Bundesliga side’s expense.

Missing their inspirational leader Nadiem Amiri through a knee problem, Mainz struggled to settle at a hostile Ruhrstadion. A warning sign came from Gerrit Holtmann’s cross, forcing Alexander Schwolow to clear his lines before Christian Rasmussen could connect. 

Eventually, the Bundesliga managed a couple of dangerous deliveries and a curling Sheraldo Becker shot that nestled in Timo Horn’s gloves. Otherwise, there was a rather flat feeling to the visitors’ performance, while Bochum held firm to reach the interval.

Uwe Rösler’s men would go one better upon the restart. Inside a minute, Holtmann and Taz combined to find Christian Rasmussen on the left. The Dane’s effort deflected off Kaishu Sano, leaving Schwolow out of reach to prevent it looping over him on it’s way to the net.

Perhaps most worryingly for Mainz and Urs Fischer, as the clock ticked past the hour, his side had only managed four shots at goal. That’s likely what prompted the changes with Caci and Königsdörffer. Bochum also used fresh legs in Koji Miyoshi and Philipp Hofmann.

The big marksman would have an almost instant impact, doubling the Rurhpott side’s lead to 2-0 by tapping in Jarne Steuckers’ squared pass. Bochum never looked back thereafter, booking their spot in the next round as Mainz were left to linger on elimination.