Impressive Bielefeld prove too good for Bochum

Arminia Bielefeld 2-0 Bochum 

Goals: 1-0 Okugawa 51' (assist: Wimmer), 2-0 Wimmer 69'

Looking to banish some unwanted Bundesliga statistics - Bielefeld had failed to win at home and were the division's lowest scorers going into this encounter - the hosts took the game to their opponents at the Bielefelder Alm. Some sloppy defending from the visitors led to the first big chance, with the lively Patrick Wimmer feeding Alessandro Schöpf whose shot was well saved by Manuel Riemann. To the ire of coach Thomas Reis, Bochum lapsed again almost immediately, Erhan Masovic this time giving the ball straight to Wimmer who saw his subsequent effort deflected narrowly wide. Eventually stirred into action, last season's second division champions carved a superb opening when Gerrit Holtmann burst through on the right. The 26-year-old was left frustrated, however, when Arminia 'keeper Ortega Moreno saved the winger's shot with an outstretched leg.

Looking anything but a team who had won only three times in their last 21 Bundesliga matches, Bielefeld continued to apply the pressure after the restart and they were finally rewarded with the lead their play deserved in the 51st minute. Wimmer's whipped centre from the right sought out the lurking Okugawa and the midfielder rose high above the despairing Danilo Soares to head home his fourth goal of the season and his fifth in total in the Bundesliga. It was to get even better for Bielefeld and the classy Wimmer later in the half, but for all of the home side's celebrations of doubling their lead, Bochum No.1 Riemann was left with his head in his hands after allowing Wimmer's saveable long-range strike to slip through his gloves and into the net. It all led to a valuable first home win of the campaign for Frank Kramer's men who, although still mired in the relegation zone, appear to have plenty to build on following this impressive display.

• Okugawa scored for the first time with a header in the Bundesliga. He registered his four previous German top-flight goals with his right foot.
• The impressive Patrick Wimmer laid on his third assist of the season for Okugawa's 51st minute opener.
• The winger scored only his second-ever Bundesliga goal with his 69th minute strike.
• Since gaining promotion in 2020, Arminia Bielefeld have never lost after going in front in a game (10 wins and 4 draws).
• Bochum still shade the competitive head-to-head with 23 wins to Arminia's 19, but they are now winless in their last six trips to Bielefeld.

Bielefeld: Ortega Moreno - Brunner, Pieper, Nilsson, Andrade - Prietl (c), Wimmer (Kunze 80'), Schöpf (de Medina 90'+1), Okugawa (Hack 90'+1) - Serra (Klos 61'), Krüger (Lasme 61')
Subs: Kapino, De Medina, Ramos, Fernandes, Hack, Kunze, Vasiliadis, Klos, Lasme
Out: Czyborra (appendicitis), Laursen (muscular)
Coach: Frank Kramer

Bochum: Riemann - Gamboa, Masovic, Lampropoulos, Danilo Soares (Stafylidis 45'+1)- Losilla (c), Pantovic (Novothny 73'), Rexhbecaj (Osterhage 81'), Antwi-Adjei (Bockhorn 58'), Holtmann - Polter (Ganvoula 57')
Subs: Esser, Bella Kotchap, Bockhorn, Leitsch, Stafylidis, Osterhage, Tesche, Ganvoula, Novothny
Out: Blum (muscular), Decarli (shoulder), Löwen (not included), Zoller (knee)
Coach: Thomas Reis