Bundesliga 2 side VfL Bochum hold AS Monaco to a 2-2 draw

Bundesliga 2 side VfL Bochum registered a 2-2 draw against Ligue 1 runners-up AS Monaco in a pre-season friendly match at the Sportclub Arena in Verl, Germany yesterday evening.

The French side took an early lead in the 2nd minute, when Jordi Mboula’s cross from the right flank found an unmarked Rony Lopes in the box. The Portuguese midfielder put the ball past Bochum goalkeeper Florian Kraft to open the score sheet.

Bochum, coached by Indian origin head coach Robin Dutt, was lucky not to concede two red cards within the first eleven minutes as the Bundesliga 2 side had difficulties to defend against Monaco.

But the Germans kept fighting and managed to level the score line in the first half against Monaco. Bochum’s new Congolese signing Silvère Ganvoula converted a perfect cross from Australia international Robbie Kruse in the 40th minute.

Bochum’s celebrations lasted only for two minutes, as Rony Lopes put the French visitors back in the lead with a beautiful free-kick.

Robin Dutt brought on fresh legs in the second half and fielded a completly new line-up. The changes paid off on a hot summer day in Germany with temperatures around 36°C.

Bochum looked well organised and on par with the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League participants. The intense and quality pre-season match turned into an end-to-end affair with both teams creating chances.

Lukas Hinterseer scored the deserved equaliser to the delight of the numerous Bochum fans at the Sportclub Arena. Danilo Soares cut in from the left, just to find Anthony Losilla, who quickly reacted with a pass to Hinterseer in the box. The striker made no mistake and scored for Bochum in the 69th minute.

Bochum could have even scored the winner in the late stages of the match, but they were denied by the French side.

Both sides settled for a 2-2 draw at the end, which certainly satisfied Robin Dutt and his counterpart Leonardo Jardim.

Match Highlights – VfL Bochum 2-2 AS Monaco

Match pictures on Instagram