Highlights

0:24
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Watch: Bero: “When you believe, anything is possible”

120'
+ 1

Bochum are safe!

Uchino blazes into row M! Bochum live to fight another day. Heartbreak for Düsseldorf - they're staying in Bundesliga 2.
Full-time
Takashi Uchino

Penalty missed!

Taker:
Takashi Uchino
120'
+ 1

Wittek puts Bochum 6-5 up

Nerves are jangling....

Maximilian Wittek

GOAL!

5:9
Penalty
Maximilian Wittek

Jona Niemiec

GOAL!

5:8
Penalty
Jona Niemiec
120'
+ 1

Sudden death

No mistake from Stöger and Tzolis. Who'll blink first? Not Schlotterbeck! Huge pressure on Fortuna's next taker...

Keven Schlotterbeck

GOAL!

4:8
Penalty
Keven Schlotterbeck

Christos Tzolis

GOAL!

4:7
Penalty
Christos Tzolis

Kevin Stöger

GOAL!

3:7
Penalty
Kevin Stöger
120'
+ 1

Three apiece!

Engelhardt brings it back to 3-3 on penalties, before Asano and Oberdorf bury theirs...

Tim Oberdorf

GOAL!

3:6
Penalty
Tim Oberdorf

Takuma Asano

GOAL!

2:6
Penalty
Takuma Asano

Yannik Engelhardt

GOAL!

2:5
Penalty
Yannik Engelhardt
120'
+ 1

Drama!

Düsseldorf with the chance to level after Jóhannesson scores and Kastenmeier thwarts Mašović!
Erhan Mašović

Penalty missed!

Taker:
Erhan Mašović
120'
+ 1

Luthe saves; Bero scores

Despair for Fortuna - they're 2-0 down...

Matúš Bero

GOAL!

0:5
Penalty
Matúš Bero
André Hoffmann

Penalty missed!

Taker:
André Hoffmann
120'
+ 1

Bochum lead 1-0!

The sub sinks his penalty, in front of the Fortuna fans...

Gonçalo Paciência

GOAL!

0:4
Penalty
Gonçalo Paciência
Penalty shootout
Full-time
119'

Fortuna 0-3 Bochum (3-3 on agg.) - after extra-time

Penalties will determine who plays Bundesliga football next season. Strap yourselves in, folks...
118'

Late drama...

... as Niemiec is denied by two goal-line clearances in quick succession - both following Tzolis corners! Luthe and Loosli were the heroes for Bochum.
117'

Well read

Ordets gets across quickly to block Tzolis - not helped by a heavy first touch - potentially running in on goal.
113'

Mr. Everywhere

Stöger's back on his feet and back defending, putting a right-wing cross behind for a corner. Hoffmann meets it, but plants his header straight at the grateful Luthe.
111'

Cramp

Stöger's down receiving a bit of TLC from the Bochum physios. He's not the only one feeling it in the legs...
108'

Over!

Daferner heads over from the Greek forward's cross. Not an easy one to keep down.
107'

Deflected wide!

Uchino picks up the ball outside the area, but his shot is deflected wide. Tzolis will get another go after his first corner is cleared...
106'

Fifteen more minutes to go

Can either side summon a winner, or will penalties decide the 2023/24 play-off?
Kick-off!
105'
+ 1

No change - 3-3 on aggregate

Bochum controlled the first period of extra-time, albeit without seriously troubling the Fortuna defence. Two big team talks coming up...
Half-time
102'

All Bochum

No let-up from Butscher's boys. Backs to the wall for Düsseldorf once again...
99'

Reinforcement

Mašović replaces Losilla for Bochum. The Serbian can play at the back or in midfield, as it looks like he will for the remainder.
97'

Headed clear

Confidence-builder for Hoffmann, whose first touch is a towering headed clearance from the corner.
96'

Slowed

Bochum's rhythm has been checked after that mini break, but Asano has just won a corner off Zimmermann.
91'

Paciência on

The two-goal Hofmann makes way. He ran his socks off for the Bundesliga club. Thirty more minutes, plus penalties if needed.
Extra time
End of second half
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It ain't over yet!

Bochum force extra-time with a stirring second leg comeback. They surely have the psychological edge. The Fortuna players look crestfallen.
90'
+ 6

Blocked!

Ordets stretches out in front of his goalkeeper to stop Tzolis from curling an effort on goal. Luthe claims the ensuing corner in the last action of the 90.
90'
+ 4

Off target

De Wijs meets it, but doesn't trouble Luthe in the Bochum goal.
90'
+ 3

Denied!

Schlotterbeck slides in to prevent the rampaging Niemiec from racing away and getting a cross in. Corner to come...
90'

Six added minutes

Extra-time awaits, unless we get a late winner...
90'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes

information
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
1.
Tim Oermann
Tim Oermann33.40km/h
2.
Jona Niemiec
Jona Niemiec32.50km/h
3.
Ao Tanaka
Ao Tanaka32.42km/h
89'

Asa-noooooo!

The Bochum sub is a whisker from getting a toe to Osterhage's teasing low cross into the six-yard box. Was that the moment?
87'

Wide from Ordets

Good delivery from Stöger, but it's a difficult one for Ordets. The Ukrainian is moving in the other direction and a long distance from goal as he heads well wide.
86'

Grappling

Fortuna want a penalty as Niemiec goes to ground in the box under Schlotterbeck's challenge, but the referee is unmoved.
83'

Safe hands

Uchino looks for Daferner, but Luthe reads it well and is out to make the catch.
83'

Ch-ch-ch-changes

Osterhage replaces the energetic Daschner in the Bochum midfield. Defender Uchino and forward Daferner are the fresh personnel for Düsseldorf.
81'

Stöger!

Kastenmeier gets down low to keep out the Bochum talisman's low strike from the edge of the Fortuna area. The tension is palpable!
78'

Not clicking

Zimmermann overcooks his pass for Niemiec as Fortuna try to get in behind the Bochum defence. That just about sums up their performance so far.
75'

Double change

Düsseldorf desperately need a spark. Can Jóhannesson and Niemiec - with seven Bundesliga 2 goals between them this season - provide it?
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Bochum on fire

Few gave them a prayer after the first leg. Now they're one goal from going ahead and, potentially, salvaging their Bundesliga status.
72'

What a save!

The momentum's all with Bochum as Wittek finds the head of Asano in the six-yard box. He directs it towards the bottom corner, but Kastenmeier claws it away.
70'

Bochum level the tie!

Stöger sinks the penalty against his former club, sending Kastenmeier the wrong way. Bochum were 3-0 down after the first leg, but are now level at 3-3 on aggregate! Incredible!
70'

Kevin Stöger

GOAL!

0:3
Penalty
Kevin Stöger
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
77 %
Shot speed
information
Shot speed
Shot speed describes the maximum speed in km/h that a ball reaches in a shot on goal. The distance is measured from the location of the shot to the centre of the goal.
100.96 km/h
Distance to Goal
information
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
11 m
68'

Penalty to Bochum!

Zimmermann handles Stöger's cross. The referee blows his whistle for a penalty, but they'll check this one...
66'

Hofmann at the double!

Bochum pull to within one goal of tying the play-off! Stöger's the architect again, this time with a whipped cross from the right. Hofmann pulls away from his marker and heads past Kastenmeier. How will Fortuna respond?
66'
Philipp Hofmann
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
45 %
Distance to Goal
information
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
4.33 m
62'

Half chance

Düsseldorf don't deal with a Stöger corner. Wittek drives the loose clearance goalwards, with Hofmann first to the deflected shot but heading straight at Kastenmeier.
59'

Desired impact

Asano's involved immediately, sprinting past Iyoha and clipping a cross just out of Hofmann's reach in the penalty box.
58'

Fresh legs

Japanese forward Asano, who started the first leg, replaces Passlack. Loosli's also on in defence for the carded Oermann.
58'

Substitution

55'

Wayward!

Tzolis spreads the play to Zimmermann, who pulls a dangerous ball back across the box. Iyoha takes it on, but the striker-turned-full-back balloons over.
53'

Close!

Losilla is at the back post to meet the delivery, but can't beat Kastenmeier. Another let-off for Fortuna.
51'

Man down

Sobottka took a blow to the head in that passage of play. He's been bandaged up, and should be OK to continue, after this Bochum corner...
49'

Heroic stuff

Fortuna put bodies on the line as Daschner pings in a shot from range. Hofmann tries to get on the end of the rebound, but Oberdorf slides in to block. He then celebrates like he's scored the winning goal.
46'

No changes from either side

Bochum have 45 minutes to preserve their top-flight status...
Kick-off!
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Half-time: Fortuna 0-1 Bochum (3-1 on agg.)

Hofmann has given Bochum a chance with his first-half header. The Bundesliga club have gone all in, but still need two goals without reply to level the contest. Otherwise, they're going down and Düsseldorf will be promoted.
Half-time
45'
+ 1

Additional time

Into the first of three added minutes...
44'

Stanchion!

A good number of fans think Bochum have scored, but it's the stanchion that's rattled - as well as the home supporters' nerves - by Daschner's 18-yard strike that took a wicked deflection on its way through.
41'

Close!

Schlotterbeck flings himself at another trademark Stöger free-kick, the Bochum defender sending a diving header narrowly wide of the left-hand post. Might have been offside, mind...
39'

Hat-trick of bookings

Wittek joins Hofmann and Oermann in the referee's little black book.
37'

Tidy football

Great hustle from Klaus forces a mistake in the Bochum backline. Engelhardt and Tanaka help it on for Sobottka, who curls wide from 18 yards.
36'

Low on clear-cut chances

information
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
xGoals
0
0.37
0.45
1
Goals
33'

Set-piece danger

Nervy times for the hosts as Stöger clears the Düsseldorf upright with a free-kick. A second Bochum goal would really put a cat among the pigeons.
32'

Spinning strike

Bochum return fire with Wittek, whose low drive is well held by the diving Kastenmeier. Stöger was waiting to pounce on any spillage.
31'

Almost!

Bochum go to sleep from a Tzolis free-kick. The unmarked De Wijs doesn't expect to receive the pass, and glances his header millimetres wide of the far post.
30'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes

information
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
1.
Ao Tanaka
Ao Tanaka32.42km/h
2.
Tim Oermann
Tim Oermann31.89km/h
28'

Timed to perfection

Engelhardt makes a superb recovery challenge, just as Hofmann threatened to pull clear on the counter with men left and right. The Düsseldorf fans sound their appreciation.
25'

Half chance

Tzolis gets the better of Oermann, before whipping in a shot that's straight at Luthe. The Norwich loanee finished as Bundesliga 2's joint-leading scorer in 2023/24, with 22 goals.
22'

Hofmann in again

The Bochum striker's first touch lets him down as a ball comes in from the left. Fortuna were all at sea again. Lucky for them he didn't throw his head in the direction of the pass.
18'

Bochum lead on the night!

This makes things very interesting! Kastenmeier hesitates as he thinks about coming to claim a Stöger free-kick from deep. Hofmann takes advantage, heading home from close range to cut Fortuna's aggregate lead to 3-1!
18'
Video Assistant RefereeVideo Assistant Referee
SituationGoal
ReviewOffside?
DecisionGoal
18'
Philipp Hofmann
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
31 %
Distance to Goal
information
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
9.42 m
16'

Tale of the tape

Goal attempts
2off target
2on target
1off target
0on target
16'

Possession (%)
4258
12'

Worth a crack!

Stöger shows a neat touch 25 yards from the Fortuna goal, before drilling comfortably wide of the target. He scored seven Bundesliga goals during the regular season.
10'

All-action forward

Tzolis caused the Bochum defence all manner of problems in the first leg. He's back defending here, sweeping away before the visitors could get a ball into the danger zone.
9'

Proceed with caution

Right-back Oermann's the second Bochum player into the book after grappling with Tzolis.
7'

Safe hands

Kastenmeier comes to claim a searching cross from the left. Commanding goalkeeping early in a high-pressure game.
6'

Yellow peril

An early booking that could come back to haunt Hofmann, who refused to let Oberdorf take a quick free-kick on the edge of the Fortuna penalty area. So unnecessary!
4'

Oozing with confidence

Düsseldorf have started really well. They're passing the ball around with real composure.
2'

Lively start!

Fortuna are straight on the attack as Tanaka wins back possession 20 yards from goal. He takes aim, but a deflection directs it behind with Luthe beaten. Vermeij heads the resultant corner at the goalkeeper.
1'

Under way!

Will Fortuna seal a return to the Bundesliga after four years away? It's going to take a special Bochum performance to stop them...
Kick-off!

'Fortuna wins'

The home fans in the south stand have put together a fabulous pre-match Tifo, predicting victory for their beloved club. It's red and white, just like the home shirts. Bochum are in their traditional dark blue number.

Teams in the tunnel

A cauldron of noise awaits the players. What an occasion for both clubs...
3:43
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Watch: Fortuna Düsseldorf - fan experience

Today's venue, the 54,600-capacity Merkur Spielarena, will also host five games at Euro 2024. If you haven't been, the city of Düsseldorf is well worth a visit...
5:26
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Watch: Fortuna For All

Düsseldorf broke new ground this season with three free home matches as part of the Bundesliga 2 club's pioneering 'Fortuna For All' project. The brilliant initiative was unveiled at the end of 2022/23, outlining the club's ambitious plans to offer free admission to all spectators at the Merkur Spielarena, from hardcore season ticket holders and fan club members to occasional visitors and even away fans. No freebies today, but a crowd of over 50,000 are in attendance.

Three up, three down?

If Fortuna finish the job, they'll make it a clean sweep for Bundesliga 2, with. St. Pauli and Holstein Kiel having already been promoted automatically. Darmstadt and Cologne are down, meanwhile, after finishing in the Bundesliga's bottom two.

'Believe and take the next step'

More on those teams

While Fortuna are unchanged from the first leg, Bochum's Heiko Butscher makes three changes. Right-back Tim Oermann, midfielder Anthony Losilla and attacker Lukas Daschner come in, with Bernardo, Patrick Osterhage and Takuma Asano making way.

Fortuna starting line-up

Kastenmeier (c) - Zimmermann, Oberdorf, De Wijs, Iyoha - Engelhardt, Tanaka - Klaus, Sobottka, Tzolis - Vermeij

Fortuna subs

Niemczycki, Uchino, Hoffmann, Quarshie, Bergmann Jóhannesson, Appelkamp, Niemiec, Daferner, Mustapha

Bochum starting line-up

Luthe - Oermann, Ordets, Schlotterbeck, Wittek - Losilla (c), Bero - Passlack, Stöger (c), Daschner - Hofmann

Bochum subs

Thiede, Gamboa, Mašović, Römling, Loosli, Osterhage, Elezi, Paciência, Asano

Away struggles

Bochum have won only 11 out of 55 away games in all competitions since Bundesliga promotion in 2021. Only one of those was by a margin that could help them here - 3-0 at Viktoria Berlin in 2022/23 DFB Cup first round.
0:09
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Watch: Fortuna fans en route to the stadium

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Butscher ahead of the second leg

"We have to take the lead first, and we managed that against Hoffenheim and against Union. Once you lead the lead, you gain confidence and get more of the ball. That can then affect the opponents."
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Thioune ahead of the second leg

"We have to be ready to react to everything tomorrow. Bochum will not hold back, they will give everything they have and go into the match with maximum energy. We are ready for that – we showed that in Bochum. Our players are able to adapt quickly."

A North Rhine-Westphalia conundrum

Germany's most populous state tends to be very well represented in the Bundesliga and has boasted nine out of 18 top-flight teams in numerous seasons, most recently in 1996/97 when local sides Borussia Dortmund won the Champions League and Schalke lifted the UEFA Cup. But Bochum having to face Düsseldorf - the state capital - means only four teams from NRW will be in the Bundesliga next year in Leverkusen, Dortmund, Gladbach and the winner of this play-off. It's the lowest number in 62 seasons of the Bundesliga.

Seventh heaven for Fortuna?

Düsseldorf have already gained promotion to the Bundesliga six times before and are now going for a seventh - only Nuremberg and Arminia Bielefeld have come up more often (eight each). Fortuna have spent a total of 25 years in the top flight since its creation in 1963, playing 854 games and sitting 19th in the all-time table.
3:35
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Watch: Every Tzolis goal this season

Fortuna's Norwich-City owned winger delivered the corner for the opening goal in Bochum, but it's his own strikes that have been key to Düsseldorf's promotion push. Fortuna were top scorers in Bundesliga 2 with 72 goals, while their Greek forward finished joint-top of the personal scoring chart with 22 of those. You can watch them all here.
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Hope for Bochum?

Since the play-off was reintroduced in 2008/09, the Bundesliga 2 team has gained promotion only three times in 15 years. In the last three years, the second-division side has actually won the first leg away (HSV at Hertha in 2022 and Kiel in Cologne in 2021 both won 1-0) but then lost at home in the return (2-0 and 5-1 respectively). Fortuna, though, are one of the aforementioned three teams to have come up, winning 2-1 at Hertha and then drawing 2-2 at home in 2012.
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A rare BL2 win

Fortuna's victory last week was just the third by the Bundesliga 2 club across the last 23 matches in the Bundesliga play-off, and all have come away from home. No second-division team has won their home leg since Nuremberg against Energie Cottbus in 2009 (2-0, after winning 3-0 away in the first leg).
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Advantage Fortuna

With a 3-0 lead from the first leg, you might feel Düsseldorf are home and dry. History is on their side in that regard as well. On both previous occasions when a team won the first game of the play-off 3-0, namely Nuremberg in 2009 and Stuttgart last year, they also went on to win the second leg to gain promotion in FCN's case and retain their top-flight status for VfB.
2:03
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Watch: Bochum 0-3 Düsseldorf - highlights

A Philipp Hofmann own goal and second-half strikes from Felix Klaus and Yannik Engelhardt have Fortuna firmly in the box seat after last Thursday's first leg.
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Hello and welcome!

Thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of the second leg of the 2023/24 play-off between Fortuna Düsseldorf and Bochum.