Armenia Bielefeld is on the verge of relegation from the Bundesliga for the eighth time. After the defeat at Bochum, frustration deepened. Armenia players are fans of the German champions on Sunday.
Bielefeld goalkeeper Stephane Ortega Moreno (centre) and his teammates in front of the fans’ curve. Manuel Brittle of Bielefeld on the left, Nathan de Medina of Bielefeld on the right. (Photo: dpa)
(Photo: Bernd Thiessen/dpa)
Bochum – Now Armenia Bielefeld has to hope for Bayern Munich. After a deserved 2-1 defeat at Bochum, already winning Munich should not lose to Stuttgart, otherwise Bielefeld would have certainly been relegated.
Even with Sunday’s draw, staying in the league would be highly unlikely. “We hope they can help us a little,” said the abuser, Patrick Wimmer of internet provider DAZN. However, neither the 20-year-old nor his Austrian compatriot Manuel Brittel seem really optimistic.
“It’s disappointing,” the Arminia captain said, looking at the many angry fans in the guest corner at the Ruhr Stadium late on Friday night, adding: “I can understand the fans.” Bielefeld, but from a football point of view it was not enough, especially in the case of attack. “I think the psyche also affected the fitness a bit,” Interim coach Marco Kostmann said. Even under 56-year-old successor Frank Kramer, there hasn’t been a turning point in the past few matches. Arminia has not won 10 consecutive games.
“The fact that others lose is the straw that broke the camel’s back,” Brittle said. “You always have to see it to the end in life. We have to mobilize all our forces again. We have little chance.”
And it seemed like a reversal of the season that the decisive goal was an own goal by Georges Bello in the 89th minute. While almost nothing came together in Bielefeld, Bochum seemed to be floating around in the Bundesliga. “If you score at the last chance, it suits the day and the whole season,” said Premier League coach Thomas Reese. As one of the top favorites for relegation, the rising team had already secured relegation in their 4-3 derby win over Borussia Dortmund last weekend.
After the renewed success against Bielefeld, fans and players celebrated with intensity and determination. Deserved professionals like Robert Tisch got an emotional farewell. 45 minutes after the final whistle, football players and spectators were still singing together in front of the full crowd. “No more second class,” echoed the cult site of football on Castroper Straße. Bielefeld’s supporters left the place of defeat long ago.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 220507-99-191707 / 2
