Bochum's chances of staying in the Bundesliga are looking slim with even Leon Goretzka's presence not enough to stave a crushing defeat against Fortuna Dusseldorf.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
An own goal, a counterattack and a rebound gave Dusseldorf a big advantage with a 3-0 win in Bochum in the first leg of their Bundesliga relegation/promotion playoff on Thursday.
Bochum defender Philipp Hofmann was the unlucky figure early on as Christos Tzolis's corner in the 13th minute struck the near post and rebounded in off Hofmann's thigh.
Tzolis then set up Felix Klaus to make it 2-0 on a fast break in the 64th, and Yannik Engelhardt converted the rebound from Tzolis's free kick in the 72nd.
"The team showed attitude but the journey is not over. We are happy to have an advantage for Monday," Dusseldorf coach Daniel Thioune told Sky TV.
Bochum's Kevin Stoger said: "We wanted a positive result which we didn't manage. Everything is still possible but if we play like in the second half we won't make it."
Bayern Munich midfielder Goretzka was watching from the stands in a Bochum jersey to support his boyhood club.
But all Goretzka saw was Bochum's losing run stretching to three games since a 4-3 win at Union Berlin had prematurely lifted their survival hopes.
Union clinched survival on the final day of the season with a late win over Freiburg, while Bochum slumped to a 4-1 loss at Werder Bremen.
Bochum finished third from bottom in the Bundesliga - above relegated Darmstadt and Cologne - and are bidding to stay in the division, while Dusseldorf finished third in the second division and are bidding for a return to the top flight after relegation in 2000 brought an end to their two-season stay.
The teams meet again in Dusseldorf on Monday for the second leg of the playoff.
St Pauli and Holstein Kiel were already promoted to the Bundesliga after finishing first and second respectively in the second division.
Australian Associated Press
