Table of Contents
VfL Bochum vs. Bayern Munich
A very interesting match awaits us at the end of the third matchday in the Bundesliga, as Bayern are guests at VfL Bochum. Last season, this duel made plenty of headlines, as the Bochum side shot the record champions out of the stadium with 4:2, probably having the best day of their career. But back then, the great FC Bayern looked unsovereign and lethargic.
It’s a completely different story now, because they put an exclamation mark on the first game with an enormously strong performance against Frankfurt. They also won the second game with a 2:0 victory over Wolfsburg. For Bochum, on the other hand, the predictions seem to be coming true and the club from the Ruhr region will have major relegation worries until the end. Two defeats at the start prove this thesis. Whether we believe that the FCB can take revenge for last year’s defeat, you can find out in this Bochum – Bayern tip.
Bochum – Bayern info:
– Date & Time: 21.08.2022, 17:30 Uhr
– Venue: Vonovia-Ruhrstadion (Bochum)
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 3
– TV broadcast: DAZN
Bochum Form & Balance Check
The opening programme for VfL is quite demanding, accordingly they don’t have any points on their account yet, even if they would have been well deserved. Against Mainz it was a decent performance and also in Hoffenheim Bochum sold themselves dearly, but lost in the end by a last-minute goal. Nevertheless, it was noticeable that the defensive stability of the previous season was somewhat lost. In view of the departures, however, this is understandable, because with Bella-Kotchap and Leitsch, two essential components of last year’s defensive alliance have left.
Can the newcomers enrich the team?
Bochum have been quite active on the transfer market so far, replacing all the departing regulars on a one-to-one basis. Last week, Dominique Heintz from SC Freiburg and the unsigned striker Lys Mousset came to the Ruhr. As a result, the squad is actually relatively stable, even though players like Polter, Leitsch, Bella-Kotchap and Pantovic no longer play in Bochum. But only time will tell whether the newcomers are the reinforcements we had hoped for. So far, the performances have at least been in the solid range.
Bochum facts & analysis
– 0 points after 2 games.
– Lowest squad value in the Bundesliga
– Last season 29 of 42 points scored in own stadium
Bayern form & balance check
Many were very excited about Bayern’s start to the new season after last season went anything but well. Of course, they became champions, but were also eliminated early in the cup and in the Champions League against Villarreal. In the summer, therefore, the club bought heavily and, with the departure of Lewandowski, also changed its playing idea. At the start of the new season, the record champions visited Frankfurt and played Eintracht to the wall in such a way that the competition became frightened. The Munich team also scored a commanding home victory against Wolfsburg last week. Accordingly, the start to the season has been more than successful.
Munich have become more unpredictable
With a certain Robert Lewandowski no longer playing in Munich, FC Bayern is much more variable in attack. Of course, a classic nine-man is now missing, but FCB has several goal-getting players in attack who collectively make up for the loss. Jamal Musiala in particular stands out at the moment, as he now seems to be consistently fulfilling his potential. It is really unbelievable what the 19-year-old, who will probably not play on Sunday, is capable of. For the competition, of course, this strength of form is a bitter damper, because currently no one seems to know how to stop these Bavarians.
Bayern facts & analysis
– Along with Dortmund, both opening games won.
– Scored the most goals of all teams
– Musiala currently leads the scoring charts with three goals
Predicted line-up – last update on 19 August 2022
Despite the defeat in Hoffenheim, we do not expect any performance-related personnel changes for the home side. In addition, the personnel situation at VfL is tense, with various players missing due to injury. Gerrit Holtmann could return to the starting eleven in place of Jordi Osei-Tutu, who has been disappointing of late.
For Bayern, Serge Gnabry’s start is currently questionable, as the striker was injured against Wolfsburg and was also absent from training. Jamal Musiala will probably also miss the away game in Bochum. Kingsley Coman is therefore likely to be set, with either Gnabry or Leroy Sané playing on the other side. In addition, it is not excluded that Mazraoui, Gravenberch and/or de Ligt are somewhat surprisingly in the starting eleven.
Wrist injury – @SergeGnabry trains in the performance centre.
– FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayern) August 17, 2022
Bochum – Bayern direct comparison & statistics
This Bundesliga clash has taken place a total of 70 times, with the overall comparison going clearly to the Munich side, as you would expect. They have won 46 times against the VfL, who have walked off the field as winners in nine games.
– Last year Bayern won the first leg 7-0 – it was the Bochum side’s highest defeat in the club’s history
– Bochum’s win last year was their first against Bayern since 2004
– Eight of the nine victories over FC Bayern were celebrated by Bochum in their own stadium
