Bochum stuns 10-man Bayern Munich with thrilling 3-2 comeback victory

KATHMANDU: Bayern Munich suffered a shocking 3-2 defeat against Bochum on Saturday, dampening their 125th anniversary celebrations.

Despite taking an early two-goal lead, Bayern collapsed after being reduced to 10 men.

Rafael Guerreiro put Bayern ahead with a brace in the opening 28 minutes.

He scored the first in the 14th minute with a close-range strike and netted the second with a header from Thomas Müller’s assist.

However, Bochum responded in the 34th minute when Jakov Medić fired a powerful shot into the top corner, scoring his first Bundesliga goal.

Just before halftime, Bayern’s João Palhinha was sent off with a straight red card for a reckless foul on Giorgos Masouras, leaving the visitors at a disadvantage.

Bochum capitalized on their numerical superiority in the second half. In the 51st minute, Ibrahim Sissoko headed in Felix Passlack’s cross to equalize.

Then, in the 71st minute, Matus Bero sealed a historic victory for Bochum with a close-range finish on a counterattack.

This marked Bayern’s second Bundesliga defeat under Vincent Kompany and their first league loss since December 14 against Mainz.

With Manuel Neuer injured, 21-year-old debutant goalkeeper Jonas Urbig impressed with crucial saves, notably denying Moritz Brosinski.

Bayern missed a golden opportunity to extend their lead when Leroy Sané won a penalty after being fouled by Medić. However, Serge Gnabry struck the post, making it Bayern’s first penalty miss of the season.

Star striker Harry Kane, Bayern’s regular penalty taker, was rested after the midweek Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen.

These squad changes proved costly as Bayern suffered their first home defeat to Bochum in 34 years.

Despite the loss, Bayern remains atop the Bundesliga table with an eight-point lead, while Bochum climbs to 16th, two points clear of the relegation zone.