Bochum 0-0 Stuttgart

The home side were determined to get past their seven-goal drubbing at the hands of defending champions Bayern Munich last weekend and greeted visitors Stuttgart with fast, aggressive football in Sunday’s early fixture. Thomas Reis's side battled for every ball and visiting goalkeeper Florian Müller had to be alert to keep out Gerrit Holtmann and Sebastian Polter, although clear-cut openings were at a premium in a full-blooded encounter. Stuttgart weren’t without their chances, and went close to an early lead from a Konstantinos Mavropanos header after a Borna Sosa cross, but neither side could find a way through their opponents’ defences and returned to the dressing room with the scores level.

Having been second-best in the first half, Stuttgart made two changes at halt-time in hopes of turning the tide. As a result, the visitors looked better able to offer greater resistance and even had the ball in the back of the net when Mavropanos collected a cross in the area and put it away like a striker, only to have his strike ruled out for handball. That seemed to kick the second-half into high gear, with chances coming at both ends. However, this was an afternoon for the defenders and Bochum managed to see off anything Stuttgart through at them in a draw that was ultimatley a fair result for both sides.

BOC Bochum Bochum - VFB Stuttgart VfB Stuttgart

Bochum and Stuttgart battle to a draw

Matarazzo eager for Stuttgart reaction