bundesliga

Mattias Svanberg salvages point for Wolfsburg in draw Bochum

22.02.2025

Wolfsburg and Bochum held each other to a 1-1 draw as Erhan Mašović and Mattias Svanberg both scored from corners in a game with multiple chances for both sides.

Wolfsburg 1-1 Bochum
Goals: 0-1 Mašović 50’ (assist: Bero), 1-1 Svanberg 81’ (assist: Bornauw)

Bochum arrived in Wolfsburg on the back of a derby victory over Borussia Dortmund as Dieter Hecking made his return to the club where he enjoyed DFB Cup glory and a Bundesliga runner-up finish.

Wolfsburg's Mohamed Amoura had the ball in the Bochum net, but it didn't count. - IMAGO/Sebastian Priebe

First-half stalemate

The first half was a closely fought affair with both sides creating opportunities. Wolfsburg's Mohamed Amoura came close early on, forcing a save from Bochum's goalkeeper Timo Horn after intercepting a pass from the back. The visitors responded through Georgios Masouras, whose header was expertly tipped over by Marius Müller from close range. Philipp Hofmann also had a chance for Bochum, but his effort from a corner went wide. The half ended goalless, but the stage was set for an exciting second period.

Erhan Mašović got his fifth Bundesliga goal to break the deadlock. - IMAGO/Noah Wedel

Bochum break the deadlock

The deadlock was broken five minutes into the second half when Mašović rose highest from a corner to power a header past Müller, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead. The goal highlighted Wolfsburg's vulnerability from set pieces, having conceded the most goals from corners in the league this season (nine).

Jonas Wind of Wolfsburg contests an aerial duel with Ivan Ordets of Bochum. - IMAGO/Noah Wedel

Wolfsburg fight back

The Wolves responded with increased pressure, and thought they had equalised through Amoura around the 65th minute. However, VAR intervened, and referee Timo Gerach disallowed the goal for a foul by Jonas Wind on Tom Krauß in the build-up. The hosts continued to push, with Hasenhüttl making substitutions to change the game's dynamics.

Tom Krauß of Bochum and Aster Vranckx of Wolfsburg battle for possession in a tightly contested midfield duel. - Luciano Lima

Late drama secures point

Wolfsburg's persistence paid off in the 81st minute when Svanberg levelled the score. Another corner proved decisive, this time in the hosts' favour, as the stand-in captain reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box to score from close range. The goal set up a frantic finale, but neither side could find a winner, with the match ending in a fair 1-1 draw.

Player of the Match: Matúš Bero

Bero was instrumental in Bochum's performance, showcasing his influence in midfield. The Slovak international's passing efficiency was unmatched, consistently finding teammates and creating opportunities. Bero's set-piece delivery for Mašović's goal was pinpoint, and his work rate in both attack and defence epitomised Bochum's resilient display. His ability to control the tempo of the game and break up Wolfsburg's attacks was crucial in securing a valuable point for his team, as they moved out of the relegation zone, at least overnight.

Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Wolfsburg 2.25 - Bochum 0.99
Fastest player: Mohamed Amoura (Wolfsburg), 34.93 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-0 by Erhan Mašović (Bochum), 7.94 percent
Most pressed player: Mohamed Amoura (Wolfsburg), 21 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Matúš Bero (Bochum), +2.56

Fantasy Heroes: Mattias Svanberg (Wolfsburg, 302 Points), Erhan Mašović (Bochum 1848, 288 Points), Matúš Bero (Bochum 1848, 242 Points)