Copyright: IMAGO/Team 2
Simon Zoller (VfL Bochum) celebrates with the fans in the east curve after the game of VfL Bochum against Bayer Leverkusen on April 10th, 2022
VfL Bochum was able to secure another point for the goal of staying up in the league against Bayer Leverkusen. There was also the comeback of Simon Zoller (30), who had been injured for a long time.
In the game against Bayer Leverkusen, VfL Bochum was able to take an important point in the fight for relegation. There was also a very special comeback in the game. After seven months of being out due to a cruciate ligament rupture, Simon Zoller (30) was finally back on the pitch for Bochum.
When the hustle and bustle and the party on the fence with the fans were over, the Bochum man of the day addressed the fans with an Instagram post, visibly moved. “This day will always have a very special place in my heart,” said Zoller. “I’m proud and grateful to play for this club and to tear myself up on the pitch for him again from now on!”
Laura Wontorra celebrates Simon Zoller’s comeback in Bochum
Wife and DAZN presenter Laura Wontorra (33) was also a support on the sidelines. After Zoller’s serious injury, she was always at his side and an important part of his return. After the game there was a heartfelt kiss in the stands as a thank you.
Laura Wontorra’s Instagram post with her husband Simon Zoller
The game between VfL Bochum and Bayer 04 Leverkusen didn’t offer any goals – at least none that counted. The game wrote enough stories anyway.
On September 12, 2021, Zoller played his last Bundesliga game until Sunday, and now the 30-year-old’s ordeal was over. The center forward was substituted on in the 81st minute to thunderous applause from the Bochum fans. A cruciate ligament rupture had caused the long downtime for the former Cologne player.
VfL Bochum versus Bayer Leverkusen in a lucky penalty
And then there was the big mishap of the day: confident and full of conviction, Leverkusen’s winger Moussa Diaby grabbed the ball for a penalty in the 65th minute. The Frenchman stepped up and also scored. Still, he couldn’t be happy.
Copyright: AFP
Moussa Diaby fails with a curious penalty miss on Sunday (April 10, 2022) in Bayer Leverkusen’s game at VfL Bochum.
Because Diaby slipped when he shot and touched the ball more than once, his goal didn’t count. The scene was reminiscent of Florian Kainz’s (29) missed shot, which took place in the DFB-Pokal against Hamburger SV on penalties – and knocked FC out of the competition.
Despite the unfortunate action and the missed win, Leverkusen remains on course for the Champions League. The Werkself are third after matchday 29 in the Bundesliga. The lead over SC Freiburg on the first non-premier class place is four points.
VfL Bochum close to staying up in the Bundesliga
Relegation: Another Bundesliga year for Bochum is not yet 100% certain. In view of a ten point lead over the relegation rank, nobody believes in a descent anymore.
“As long as it is not mathematically certain that we will hold the league, we will do everything we can,” said VfL coach Thomas Reis. Simon Zoller put it this way in his video message: “Now we’ll play five more games, fix the thing, and then we’ll see each other again in the stadium and hopefully soon again in the new season.” (dpa)
