2. Bundesliga: Bochum end winless run with comeback victory in Cottbus

VfL Bochum came from behind to earn hard-fought three points at Energie Cottbus. The hosts squandered an early lead once again, while Bochum's winless run in 2. Bundesliga ended after five games.

After a cautious start from both teams, Koji Miyoshi and Lukas Michelbrink had the first chances at either end. The opening goal of the game came from a penalty-kick after Timo Horn's challenge on Lucas Copado.

Cottbus’ captain Tolcay Ciğerci converted the penalty, with his counterpart committed early between the posts. Uwe Rösler decided to make a first-half substitution to avoid a potential second booking for 18-year-old Meyer as former Arsenal youngster Charlie Patino entered in his place.

Bochum stunned Bundesliga side Mainz in midweek, but they failed to recover from the early setback quickly as Michelbrink and Justin Butler had chances to double Cottbus’ lead before the half-time break. 

Rösler started the second-half with his second change as the goalscorer from midweek Christian Rasmussen introduced in place of Gerrit Holtmann. The Danish playmaker assisted Philipp Hofmann's goal ten minutes after the restart.

However, the goal didn't stand after an offside spotted during a VAR check. From the resulting free-kick, Marcin Lotka found the US-German Butler, who volleyed it home with a spectacular finish. The in-form striker was also denied the goal because of an offside, though.

Five minutes later, Hofmann found the net once again, but it was a clear offside this time around. The 33-year-old didn't give up as his third goal finally stood after his all-important touch to beat Lotka following Michael Steinwender's pinpoint delivery from the left flank.

A couple of minutes later, substitute Jarne Steuckers hit the post with the visitors showing no signs of slowing down. The league's lowest-scoring side dominated the half before Horn had to be alert to deny Jannis Boziaris at the other end.

The experienced goalkeeper also thwarted the energetic Christian Kinsombi with superb save before Hofmann clears Leonardo Bittencourt's effort from the goalline. However, it was Bochum who found a late winner as Rasmussen continued his fine form in front of goal with his first league goal for the visitors.

Rosler's men climbed above their hosts Cottbus, who are now on a five-game winless streak themselves. Bochum will host Karlsruhe next week, while Cottbus’ last game before the international break is against Eintracht Braunschweig.