A high-scoring game was settled by Philipp Hofmann in the second half, after Union Berlin battled back from 3-0 at half-time to ultimately lose 4-3 and sink further towards Bundesliga relegation.

Story of the match

Seasons aren’t defined by 90 minutes, but a game can change momentum.

Today, the momentum swung with against Union Berlin in their bid for Bundesliga survival

Union Berlin welcomed Bochum to Köpenick level on 30 points.

Just two points above Mainz 05, both sides were perilously close to the relegation zone.

Union Berlin were winless in five, whilst Bochum had won just once in their last ten games.

That vital win came last weekend against Hoffenheim and filled the visitors with confidence.

Head Coach, Heiko Butscher made one change to the starting line-up, with Patrick Osterhage coming in for Anthony Lossila.

This week, reports emerged that Nenad Bjelica would be departing Union Berlin at the end of the season but with two games still to go after today, the Union Head Coach had a lot of work to do to secure Union’s Bundesliga future.

The Croatian made two changes to the side that drew away to Gladbach last week.

Andras Schafer and Benedict Hollerbach came in for Brenden Aaronson and Yorbe Vertessen.

After a tense opening, the first goal came in the 16th minute.

Moritz Broschinski found space on the right wing and delivered a pin-point cut-back to Maximilian Wittek on the penalty spot who calmly passed the ball into the bottom corner for only his second goal of the season.

Wittek was a man on a mission and doubled the lead on the half hour mark.

The German midfielder danced through the Union defence and struck the ball fiercely into the bottom right corner. 

Rönnow was helpless, Union were shell-shocked.

Bochum were not done there. A few minutes later and former Unioner, Keven Schlotterbeck made it three.

His celebration was more muted in respect of his former club after a first time strike into the roof of the net.

It felt like a knock-out blow for Union as Bjelica stood motionless and silent, with his arms folded on the sidelines.

The hosts were only saved from further embarrassment by the half-time whistle.

Second half

Union Berlin are known for upsetting the odds and looked like they would do just that for much of the second half.

Bjeclica made three changes, with Aaronson, Chris Bedia, and Yorbe Vertessen coming on.

The substitutes changed the game.

Vertessen reduced the deficit in the 58th minute was a wonderful strike from 25 yards.

A few minutes later, Bedia had scored a second.

Union Berlin were in the ascendency but Philipp Hofmann pinned them back.

Unmarked at the back-post, the Bochum forward headed easily past Ronnow.

The game was flowing end-to-end and still had one more goal left in it.

In the 74th minute, Hollerbach set up a grandstand finish after finishing off a mazy run by American international, Aaronson.

There were late chances for Aaronson and Juranovic but Bochum held on for a memorable win.

Player of the match: Maximilian Wittek

Some players rise to the occasion, others hide.

Today, Wittek shined.

His first goal was calmness personified, his second was a work of art.

Wittek hung on the final man, pointed to where he wanted the through-ball to go, and began his spell-binding run on the right edge of the Union box.

Wittek took three touches to create space and cut the ball inside on to his left foot, a couple more to set himself, and with his six, he beat Rönnow at his near-post.

It was mesmerising.

It was worthy of the occasion. 

Wittek lifted Bochum five points clear of the Bundesliga relegation zone and left Union Berlin facing a mountain to climb if they are to retain their status.