Masouras brace lifts Bochum over Dortmund | OneFootball

Georgios Masouras double stuns Borussia Dortmund as Bochum claim relegation lifeline

Georgios Masouras scored twice as Bochum secured a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund to boost their survival hopes and hand BVB a second successive defeat under new head coach Niko Kovač.

Bochum 2-0 Borussia Dortmund Goals: 1-0 Masouras 33' (assist: Hofmann), 2-0 Masouras (35')

In a match of significant importance for both sides, Bochum, fighting to avoid relegation, hosted Dortmund, who were looking to turn their fortunes around under new coach Kovač. The home side were without the suspended Maximilian Wittek and the injured Myron Boadu, while Dortmund missed Julian Ryerson due to suspension and Felix Nmecha through injury.

Timo Horn, making his Bundesliga debut for Bochum, proved crucial in the victory with several important saves. (Christof Koepsel)

The match began with Bochum showing unexpected aggression and intent. In the opening minutes, Masouras set up Matúš Bero for a chance that was blocked, signalling the home side's ambitions. Masouras himself tested Gregor Kobel with a low shot in the fourth minute, as Bochum continued to press.

Dortmund struggled to find their rhythm, with their first real opportunity coming in the 11th minute when Julian Brandt's effort was well saved by Timo Horn, making his Bundesliga debut for Bochum. The deadlock was finally broken in the 33rd minute when Masouras finished off a move initiated by Philipp Hofmann. Just two minutes later, Masouras doubled Bochum's lead, capitalising on a defensive error by Niklas Süle to slot past Kobel, sending the home crowd into raptures.

Coaches Dieter Hecking (l.) and Niko Kovač (r.) share a moment on the touchline. (IMAGO/kolbert-press/Marc Niemeyer)

The second half saw Dortmund trying to mount a comeback, with Kovač introducing Salih Özcan for Marcel Sabitzer at half-time. Despite dominating possession, the visitors struggled to create clear-cut chances against Bochum's compact defence. The home side's resolve was epitomised by Bernardo, who received a yellow card for a robust challenge on Karim Adeyemi in the 49th minute.

Dortmund's frustration grew as the match progressed, with Kovač making further changes around the 63rd minute, bringing on Maximilian Beier for Jamie Gittens, Yan Couto for Süle, and Julien Duranville for Adeyemi in an attempt to spark their attack. However, Bochum's defence, marshalled by the impressive Horn, held firm. The goalkeeper made a crucial save from Brandt in the 52nd minute, maintaining his clean sheet.

Masouras nearly completed his hat-trick in the 70th minute, but Kobel made an excellent save to deny him. As the final whistle approached, Bochum's players and fans alike celebrated what could prove to be a pivotal victory in their fight for Bundesliga survival. The result left Dortmund still searching for their first league win under Kovač, while Bochum's unexpected triumph provided a significant boost to their relegation battle.

Player of the Match: Georgios Masouras

Masouras emerged as the undisputed star of the match, scoring both goals that secured Bochum's victory. The Greek forward displayed clinical finishing, netting in the 33rd and 35th minutes to give his team a commanding lead. Masouras's first goal came from a well-worked move, while his second capitalised on a defensive error, showcasing his alertness and predatory instincts.

Beyond his goals, Masouras was a constant threat to the Dortmund defence, recording a total of seven shots, the highest of any player on the pitch. His performance was not just about goals; he contributed to Bochum's pressing game, being put under pressure 18 times, the most for any Bochum player, highlighting his work rate and importance to the team's strategy.

Bundesliga Match FactsxGoals: Bochum 2.98 - Dortmund 3.25Fastest player: Julien Duranville (Dortmund), 34.78 km/hLowest goal probability: 1-0 by Georgios Masouras (Bochum), 98 percentMost pressed player: Jamie Gittens (Dortmund), 25 times under pressurePass efficiency: Pascal Groß (Dortmund), +4.34

Fantasy Heroes: Georgios Masouras (Bochum 1848, 369 Points), Pascal Groß (Dortmund, 228 Points), Julian Brandt (Dortmund, 222 Points)

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