Pre-Match Report
The facts on the home game against Bochum
The scenario: BVB are unbeaten in five competitive matches against VfL (two wins and two draws in the Bundesliga, one victory in the 2022/23 DFB-Pokal round of 16). After four matchdays, there are six points and seven places separating eighth-placed Dortmund and 16th-placed Bochum in the table.
Home/away: Borussia Dortmund have won their last four home matches across seasons, while VfL have lost their last three away games. Their only away victory since 21 January 2024 came on Matchday 32 of last season, when they won 4-3 away to Union Berlin.
Statistics: Bochum have been behind on each of the four matchdays to date (Dortmund only once) and have conceded at least one goal in each of their last 20 matches. Their last such long run of conceding goals came more than 21 years ago under coach Peter Neururer. VfL's last clean sheet came in a 1-0 triumph against Stuttgart on 20 January 2024.
Head-to-head record: The two clubs are set to meet in the Bundesliga for the 67th time. Historically, Borussia Dortmund have never had it easy against VfL Bochum, winning only 26 times (23 draws and 17 defeats). In terms of the clubs currently in the Bundesliga, BVB's win percentage is only lower against Bayern Munich, Heidenheim and Stuttgart. This game has never ended 0-0 in Dortmund. After going 1-0 ahead, BVB have only lost once against the team from Castroper Straße. In total, VfL have won on six occasions in Dortmund – more away wins than against any other club. Six penalties have been awarded in the last three clashes in Dortmund (five for BVB, one for VfL).
Returnees: There are four former Borussia players in the Bochum squad: Samuel Bamba, Moritz Broschinski, Lennart Koerdt and Felix Passlack, who has always been in the starting line-up when he's been in the squad since the end of March (he missed one match due to suspension). Passlack has not yet missed a minute this Bundesliga season.
Last season: BVB took an early lead through Niclas Füllkrug's penalty in front of 81,365 spectators (6) but then put the ball in their own net shortly before the break (Schlotterbeck, 45). Füllkrug scored in the 72nd minute to re-establish the lead and rounded off the scoring by converting another penalty kick (90+1).
Biggest home win: The Black & Yellows strolled to a 5-0 victory in front of 65,600 spectators on Matchday 30 of the 2000/01 campaign. Lars Ricken (16th minute) and Jörg Heinrich (29.) scored for an early 2-0 lead. Giuseppe "Billy" Reina bagged a brace in the 66th and 68th minutes to make it 4-0, before Miroslav "Micky" Stevic completed the scoring from the penalty spot after Reina had been fouled..
Compiled by Boris Rupert