Bundesliga
Relegation-threatened Bochum gave their all for a win against Union Berlin to boost their survival hopes but had to make do with a point after Matúš Bero cancelled out Benedict Hollerbach's deflected opener.
Bochum 1-1 Union Berlin
Goals: 0-1 Hollerbach 17', 1-1 Bero 68'
The hosts, desperate for points to climb from bottom place, faced a Union team unbeaten in their previous six matches.
Although Bochum started with attacking intent, it was the visitors who took the lead against the run of play, Benedict Hollerbach capitalising on a clearance from a corner with a powerful shot from outside the box. Hollerbach's effort took a deflection, leaving Bochum goalkeeper Timo Horn with no chance as the ball flew into the net.
Despite falling behind, Bochum continued to create chances. Maximilian Wittek came close with a long-range effort that narrowly missed the target. The home side's best chance of the first half fell to Jakov Medić, whose close-range header was cleared off the line by Leopold Querfeld. Union's goalkeeper Frederik Rønnow was kept busy, but managed to preserve his team's lead going into halftime.
Bochum intensified their efforts to find an equaliser after the restart, Tom Krauß going agonisingly close in the 56th minute when his powerful strike from outside the box rattled the post.
The breakthrough finally came in the 68th minute when Bochum were awarded a penalty. Bero stepped up to take the spot-kick, and although Rønnow saved his initial effort, the Slovak reacted quickly to slot home the rebound.
The final stages of the match were filled with tension as both teams pushed for a winner. Hollerbach had two chances in quick succession for Union, but both were blocked by determined Bochum defending.
In the dying moments of the game, Bochum's Dani de Wit had a golden opportunity to snatch victory, but Rønnow produced a stunning save to deny him and leave Dieter Hecking's men bottom of the pile.
While Bero's equaliser was crucial for Bochum, it was Union Berlin's goalkeeper Rønnow who stood out as the game's top performer. The Danish shot-stopper made several key saves throughout the match, including the initial stop on Bero's penalty and the vital late save to deny De Wit. Rønnow's heroics were instrumental in securing a point for Union and denying Bochum a much-needed victory in their fight against relegation.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Bochum 2.29 - Union 0.6
Fastest player: Gerrit Holtmann (Bochum), 35.89 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 0-1 Hollerbach (Union), 2 per cent
Most pressed player: Moritz Broschinski (Bochum), 14 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Leopold Querfeld (Union), +2.61
Fantasy Heroes: Matúš Bero (Bochum, 246 Points), Frederik Rønnow (Union, 255 Points), Benedict Hollerbach (Union, 185 Points)