2. Bundesliga: Hofmann helps Bochum to narrow win over Braunschweig

Eintracht Braunschweig suffered a reality check a week after their 6-1 win in Magdeburg as they lost at home to VfL Bochum. Philipp Hofmann’s 86th 2. Bundesliga goal proved to be the difference between the two sides.

Ahead of kickoff, on the occasion of their first home game of the season, Braunschweig paid tribute to Wolfgang Brase, who had died last month at the age of 87. The man who spent his entire playing career at Braunschweig and lived near Eintracht-Stadion was part of the championship-winning squad in the 1966/67 season just before his early retirement due to illness.

Full of confidence from their historic win in Magdeburg, the hosts started positively with a couple of good opportunities from set-pieces. Timo Horn made decent saves inside the first ten minutes to deny Mehmet Aydın and Jan Urbich, who both scored in the opening matchday of the season.

Bochum, who were playing exactly 55 years to the date of their first-ever Bundesliga match which also happened to be against Braunschweig (1-0 win), only needed one invitation, however. Braunschweig’s defense weren’t ready to defend Berkan Taz’s quickly taken free-kick as Philipp Hofmann beat his namesake Ron-Thorben Hoffmann with a volleyed finish.

The visitors were the better side for the rest of the half, but Braunschweig once again regained control after the restart. Despite the lack of clear-cut chances, last season’s 15th-placed team camped inside the half of their guests. However, they were unable to find a way to score an equalizing goal.

Both teams will once again play on Friday when 2. Bundesliga return after the DFB-Pokal week. Bochum host newly-promoted VfL Osnabrück, while Hertha BSC will visit Eintracht-Stadion. Lars Kornetka’s side will also play at home in the cup in a duel against Union Berlin. Bochum will face fellow 2. Bundesliga side Greuther Fürth away from home.