BERLIN, Germany — Di intense rivalry between 1. FC Union Berlin and VfL Bochum go intensify as dem prepare to meet for di second leg on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 15:30. Di match dey important for many reasons, especially after di controversial fire extinguisher incident wey occur during di first leg in December.
Union coach Steffen Baumgart, age 53, don talk say e wan make sure say di team continue dem impressive performance, even as di fans dey expect a charged atmosphere. “We no fit just disregard wetin happen before, but we dey focused on our own game and we wan maintain our unbeaten run,” Baumgart explain.
Di first leg end for 1-1 draw, after Bochum’s goalkeeper Patrick Drewes get hit by a fire extinguisher thrown from di Union fans. Dis incident don spark plenty of debates and reactions, with Bochum filing an appeal wey dem later win, turning di result to 2-0 in dem favor. Baumgart no wan add fuel to di fire, saying, “We go play as we dey play, and our aim now na to build on our recent form.”
Union dey on a six-game unbeaten run, and Baumgart believe say any point wey dem fit collect dis Sunday go better dem chances in di league. “Bochum na tough side. Dem dey play aggressively at home, but we go go there with di mindset to keep our own form intact,” e add.
Union captain Christopher Trimmel also urge di team to focus on di game without worrying too much about di false accusations and controversies wey surround di previous match. “We no dey look for revenge or any drama; na football we come dey play. We want win and show di quality wey we fit bring to di table,” Trimmel talk.
As di tension dey rise, over 2700 Union fans go accompany di team to Bochum, showing say fans get strong loyalty despite di controversy. Dem expect high emotions on di stands but both clubs don work together to ensure sey di atmosphere remain calm.
Bochum coach Dieter Hecking, age 60, dey prepared for di heat as well. “We dey ready for anything wey fit come our way. Dis match go mean a lot to us for di relegation battle. We no get any option but to fight for every point,” Hecking declare.
With both teams under pressure — Bochum for dem relegation fight and Union looking to solidify their top-tier status — dis encounter promise to deliver plenty action and drama. Di outcome no go just affect di table, but go determine di level of rivalry even as teams dey face each other again. Di match kick off no dey far, and fans dey eagerly await di showdown.
