2. Bundesliga Topspiel: Horn the hero as Bochum hold wasteful Hannover to stalemate

Christian Titz’s side were left frustrated after spurning a host of opportunities to claim all three points and close the gap on the top three. A missed Benjamin Källman penalty summed up Hannover’s night as they were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw in this weekend’s Topspiel, with goalkeeper Timo Horn starring for Bochum.

The hosts started on the front foot, with Kolja Oudenne’s effort flashing across goal to serve as an early warning for Bochum. On the 15-minute mark Hannover carved out a gilt-edged chance to open the scoring. Enzo Leopold’s deep delivery was flicked back across goal by a Bochum defender and fell kindly to Daisuke Yokota, but the winger fired straight at Timo Horn, who reacted quickly to smother the chance.

Three minutes before the break, Hannover thought their sustained pressure had finally paid off when Farid Alfa-Ruprecht clumsily bundled over Maurice Neubauer inside the area. However, the usually reliable Källman produced a tame penalty that Horn saved low to his right, ensuring the sides went into the interval level.

The second half proved frustrating for both teams, albeit for different reasons. Bochum offered little in attack, while Hannover continued to rue their missed chances. Horn was called into action again on the hour mark, producing another excellent save from close range to deny Hayate Matsuda, before Källman’s header from a Neubauer corner rattled the crossbar, the breakthrough still refusing to arrive.

Bochum’s best opportunity came out of nothing in the 77th minute. Matus Bero won the ball high up the pitch, allowing Mats Pannewig to exchange passes with Philipp Hofmann before striking the post, a smash-and-grab winner inches away for Uwe Rösler’s side. Hannover almost snatched it late on, but Horn once again stood firm, denying substitute Waniss Taïbi two minutes from time to cap a superb individual performance and secure a point for his side.

It is a second consecutive draw for Hannover, who remain fifth and will feel they did enough to win on the night. Bochum, meanwhile, will be the happier of the two, having survived several scares to take a valuable point back home and stay ninth in the table.