Bayern Munich's bankruptcy at VfL Bochum: was that it?

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Thomas Tuchel would probably prefer to hide

Photo: Revierfoto / IMAGO

Scene of the game:

In the 19th minute, Harry Kane runs alone towards the Bochum goal; given his quality, it is only a formality to pass the ball to Bochum's keeper Manuel Riemann to make it 2-0 for Bayern Munich. The striker on duty takes the shot and the ball flies far over the goal into the night sky of the Ruhr area. A tribute to Uli Hoeneß and his legendary miss at the 1976 European Championship. It is the tipping point of this game, and this miss may not only decide this game, but also the championship.

Result of the game:

VfL Bochum beats FC Bayern 3:2. It is Bayern's third defeat in eight days; you will have to go back in Bavarian history to King Ludwig to find something similar. You can read the match report here.

The first half:

Bayern have so much to make up for after the defeats in Leverkusen and Rome, and that's how they start. Jamal Musiala makes it 1-0, then Kane has a huge chance, then tennis balls fly from the stands and interrupt the game for a quarter of an hour. After that the game is different. Bochum turns the game around with goals from Takuma Asano and Keven Schlotterbeck. Even at halftime, Bayern looked like a boxer on the ropes.

The second half:

At first Bayern couldn't think of much, then they got a penalty decided against them. Referee Daniel Schlager sends Dayot Upamecano off the pitch because of an elbow strike, Kevin Stöger converts to make it 3-1, and only after Leroy Sané and Mathys Tel are brought in do Bayern, when they are outnumbered, apply the pressure that they would have needed much earlier. So only Harry Kane scores the next goal.

Quote from the game:

"Today was Murphy's Law, everything that could go wrong, went wrong." After the game, Thomas Tuchel summarizes the end of any Bayern dullness. Very calm, almost relaxed. Countercyclical. But from now on everything will be discussed. Not least about the trainer. Lothar Matthäus and Didi Hamann have already set up their camp beds in the Sky studio.

Statistics of the game:

Bayern had recently won three times against VfL Bochum 7-0. Harry Kane scored three goals in the first half of the season, how far away is that?

Saving act of the game:

Shortly before the end of the game, Leroy Sané appears in front of Riemann. If he scored, the game would be tense again. But Riemann extends his right arm and shows a parade, well, as you actually know from his counterpart Manuel Neuer. Or knew.

The unlucky one of the game:

There are two Dayot Upamecanos. On good days, the Frenchman is a world-class defender in Bayern's service. On other days, disaster seems to be unleashed on him. Such days are currently. Expelled in Rome four days ago, now expelled in Bochum. Although he wasn't supposed to play at all, he was sent off due to teammate Noussair Mazraoui's early injury. As I said: Murphy's Law.

The Bayern twilight:

eight points behind Leverkusen. Tuchel is not giving up on the championship yet, he bravely says regardless. As a contrast, Joshua Kimmich's face was shown after his substitution. This reflected pure desperation.

A word about the winner:

When Bayern lose, almost only Bayern are written about, including here. How unfair. So at this point: What VfL Bochum has been delivering for weeks is worthy of all honor. Thomas Letsch's team is now in eleventh place - after five meager points from the first nine games. By the way: the last team that beat the new league king Bayer Leverkusen was called – VfL Bochum. There was the pre-season in May. 3-0. A result that should seem familiar to Bayern in connection with Leverkusen.

Déjà vu of the game:

An important goal from Takuma Asano against Manuel Neuer, there was something there. In Qatar at the World Cup, the Japanese scored against Neuer and paved the way that ultimately and delayed ended in the DFB's separation from Hansi Flick. It would be an extravagant anecdote if an Asano goal against Neuer could lead to Hansi Flick being put back into office. Nothing can be ruled out now. Not at FC Bayern Munich.

Realization of the game:

The title fight is so boring, people have been complaining about it for years. That probably won't change this season either.