Captain Losilla saves Bochum - Tired 1-0 in Elversberg

Created: 10/18/2022 10:53 p.m

Kevin Stöger (r) gives instructions to Erhan Masovic and Bochum's Anthony Losilla.

© David Inderlied/dpa/archive image

In the cup game between Bundesliga club Bochum and third division club Elversberg, there is no class difference for a long time.

But then the captain scores - and saves Bochum's coach from a false start.

Spiesen-Elversberg – VfL Bochum, bottom of the Bundesliga, just managed to avert a disappointing end in the DFB Cup.

Thomas Letsch's team won the second main round on Tuesday evening 1-0 (0-0) at third-division leaders SV Elversberg and is in the round of 16.

The decisive goal in front of 6911 spectators was scored by Anthony Losilla (85th minute).

For Letsch it was the second win in four games since taking office in September.

The hosts from Saarland had thrown Bayer Leverkusen out of the cup in round one.

Even before Bochum's Pyro ignited and Elversberger's white and black balloons were waving, the hosts had announced a message before kick-off: Captain Kevin Conrad is extending his contract, which is due to expire at the end of the season, by one year until June 30, 2024. On the pitch, Conrad was able to relax Autumn temperatures didn't help for too long, after just 15 minutes he had to leave the field due to an injury.

But even without their captain, the Saarlanders started convincingly in front of their home crowd.

As with the furious 4:3 win over Champions League starter Leverkusen in the first round at the end of July, there was no difference in class this time either.

"It is a good feeling.

We impress the league.

Beating Leverkusen was a great experience for all of us," said Elversberg's coach Horst Steffen before kick-off at Sky.

He fears that the top clubs are now "no longer playing at half throttle" against Elversberg.

But for the fact that Bochum was warned, head coach Letsch's team had a lot of problems.

Elversberg acted more resolutely and purposefully in the first half, veteran Kevin Koffi (formerly AS Roma) could have scored the outsider's early lead with a direct acceptance (15th). Bochum's best opportunity came from Christopher Antwi-Adjei, who courageously held onto the post from an almost hopeless position scored (40th).

Otherwise, the first 45 minutes remained largely poor in climaxes.

After the change, Elversberg was initially lucky: The dynamic Antwi-Adjei prevailed on the right and put a sharp shot in the middle, where the hosts were able to clear in dire need.

Shortly thereafter, the previously ineffective Bochum center forward Philipp Hofmann (55th) headed just wide of the goal.

Elversberg was challenged at the back, but remained dangerous: Jannik Rochelt hit the bar with an artful shot after just under an hour.

The decisive goal came at the very end by Losilla after a set piece.

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