Bochum Stun Dortmund with 2-0 Win, Masouras Steals the Show

Georgios Masouras scored twice as Bochum stunned Borussia Dortmund with a 2-0 victory, boosting their survival hopes.

Georgios Masouras made a dream debut in the Bundesliga, scoring a crucial brace in Bochum's 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Ruhr derby. The win was a significant boost to Bochum's hopes of survival, keeping alive their chances of achieving a remarkable escape from relegation.

Bochum, despite sitting at the bottom of the table at kickoff, started the match with greater determination and purpose. Masouras was instrumental from the outset, forcing a corner early on and then testing Gregor Kobel's reflexes with a sharp shot inside the area. The Swiss goalkeeper was equal to the task, but Masouras's intent was clear, and he would eventually make his mark on the game.

Masouras's impressive performance was a key factor in Bochum's victory, which marked a significant turning point in their season. With the win, Bochum kept alive their hopes of becoming the first team in the three-point-per-win era to survive relegation after taking less than 12 points from 21 rounds.

Undeterred by his earlier missed opportunity, Georgios Masouras persisted and was eventually rewarded with his first goal in Bochum colors. The breakthrough came just after the half-hour mark, courtesy of some excellent interplay between Tom Krauss and Philipp Hofmann. Hofmann's cleverly rolled pass to the back post found Masouras, who tapped in with ease to give Bochum a well-deserved lead.

Masouras's second goal arrived less than two minutes later, as he capitalized on a moment of hesitancy from Niklas Sule. Krauss's pressing forced Sule into a woefully underhit back pass, which Masouras seized upon with his trademark predatory instincts. With Gregor Kobel committed, Masouras coolly picked his spot and slotted the ball home to double Bochum's advantage. By this point, the 2-0 lead was fully merited, although the memory of Bochum's 4-2 defeat in the reverse fixture served as a cautionary note.

The half could have ended on an even more ominous note for Borussia Dortmund, had Serhou Guirassy shown greater composure in front of goal. As the interval approached, Guirassy latched onto a failed clearance from Ivan Ordets, only to fire over the bar. This missed opportunity meant that Bochum's 2-0 lead remained intact, setting the stage for a potentially nervy second half.

Full time. pic.twitter.com/OYLYjyJlHi

— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) February 15, 2025

The second half began with Serhou Guirassy once again testing the Dortmund defense, but his attempt was thwarted by a timely interception. Shortly after, Julian Brandt's free-kick was blocked by the Bochum wall, as the visitors struggled to create clear-cut opportunities. Despite being expected to mount a spirited comeback, Dortmund's attacking momentum was short-lived.

As the half progressed, Gerrit Holtmann came close to extending Bochum's lead, firing a shot inches over the crossbar. Georgios Masouras, who had already scored twice, then spurned a glorious chance to complete his hat-trick. After Julien Duranville's careless giveaway, Masouras embarked on a solo run, shrugging off his initial tackler. However, Gregor Kobel produced two rapid-fire saves to deny Masouras, who then saw his third attempt hit the side netting as the angle became too acute.

Dortmund's lackluster performance continued, with the team seemingly still reeling from their midweek exertions in the Champions League. The visitors' creative well had seemingly run dry, and Bochum's defense was rarely tested. As a result, the hosts were able to celebrate a precious victory, one that temporarily lifted them off the bottom of the table. For now, Bochum can savor the taste of triumph, and with Masouras leading the line, there may be a glimmer of hope for the struggling side.