VfL Bochum showed a touch of class in their finishing when they defeated promotion rivals SC Freiburg 3-1 on Saturday afternoon.
Christian Streich's men were table-toppers coming into the third matchday, and supplemented that with a 5-0 DFB-Pokal triumph over HSV Barmbek-Uhlenhorst. However, Streich still made a few of changes; Patric Klandt was replaced by Alexander Schwolow, while Jonas Föhrenbach, Julian Schuster and Maximilian Philipp also dropped out. In their place Marc Torrejon, Amir Abrashi and Vincenzo Grifo returned to the starting line-up.
Bochum also enjoyed a five-nil cup win, sweeping aside FSV Salmohr on Sunday. Gertjan Verbeek made just one alteration from that side, with Andreas Luthe returning in goal for Manuel Riemann. They too were boasting a 100% record going into the clash.
Freiburg dominate the first half
It was a cautious beginning for both sides, who seemed keen to try and get to grips with each other before over-committing. However, the hosts did earn the first chance of the game and it fell to Nils Petersen. They couldn't have hoped for it to fall to anyone better but could only poke the ball straight to Luthe from six yards out. Patrick Fabian had an opportunity at the other end, heading well-over from a corner.
Freiburg were most certainly the more comfortable of the two teams early on but were struggling to convert that into chances. They were restricted to pumping balls into the box and long-range efforts, neither of which were providing much joy. Eventually some of their wing-play paid off as Grifo fizzed a ball across goal, but to everyone's surprise Petersen flicked it over the bar and the open net.
Some more late pressure from Freiburg couldn't force a way through, with Luthe commanding his area with real confidence they were unable to find any of their front four as a consequence. That meant both went into the break level, in a first-half that failed to live up to the pre-match build-up.
The hosts picked up where they left off at the break, only to waste a fantastic free-kick opportunity. Everything as going to plan until disaster struck as Mensur Mujdza picked up his second booking and was sent-off. That sparked a reaction, albeit a surprising one, from Streich and he replaced Vegar Hedenstad with Mats Möller Daehli.
Bochum score three goals in 10 minutes
Bochum kept plugging away and the man advantage really worked in their favour. A move that looked destined to break down gave them the lead as Marco Terrazzino's cross deflected into the path of Onur Bulut, the young midfielder flicked the ball over the helpless Alexander Scholow.
It wasn't long until he was picking the ball out of the net again and Bochum took full control of the game. Timo Perthel bombed down the left and fired across a brilliant ball to Bulut, who showed great awareness to volley the ball back across goal. Simon Terodde was on hand to bundle the ball home for their second goal in five minutes.
Just a few moments later, the Westphalians had found their third. Terodde is known for his ability inside at the box and when he took on a shot with his left foot from 20 yards, it's fair to say most people were shocked when the ball arrowed into the top corner. In the battle of the two strikers, it was clear to see that Terodde had come out on top in the game.
There was to be one blot on Luthe's book, however. Marc Torrejon's hopeful stroke from outside the area took a wicked deflection and flew into the far corner past the out-stretched stopper. It was too little too late for the hosts, as they lost their 100% record to the gleeful visitors - maintaining their own at the same time.